You can find out more about the Diabetes Network: its structure, programmes and the latest news and updates, to keep up to date with what has been delivered by the Diabetes Network so far and what is still to come.
The Diabetes Strategic Framework was launched by the then Minister for Health, Michelle O’Neill, on 22 November 2016 and work continues to make change happen for people living with diabetes in Northern Ireland.
The Network enables people living with diabetes and frontline experts in diabetes care to ‘co-design’ services with the aim of making a real difference to future diabetes care and improvements in long term health for people living with the condition. The vision of the Network is to lead the improvement of care and deliver measurable improved outcomes for people living with all types of diabetes and those at risk of developing diabetes in Northern Ireland.
The framework document is built around:
- Partnership
- Supported self-management
- Prevention
- Effective use of information
- Services for vulnerable groups
- Enhancing skills of frontline staff
- Encouraging innovation
At a more fundamental level the network is founded on the principle of partnership between all stakeholders including people living with diabetes. Thank you to those who give their time and their expertise to the Network to help people living with this relentless condition.
An example of the Network's impact is the introduction of the new regional insulin pump service which aims to ensure equitable access to pumps and support, no matter where patients live in Northern Ireland.
Tina McCrossan, National Director, Diabetes UK NI, welcomed the new regional insulin pump service pathway.
Tina said, “Our recent Diabetes is Serious report highlighted the need for agreed pathways to improve diabetes care. This new pathway represents another significant development as we continue to champion service transformation, working within the Network as a key partner.”
“In helping to design the new pathway, people living with diabetes reflected the need for ‘quality of life’ to be a key principle. Acceptance of this recommendation makes Northern Ireland the first region among the four nations to use this as criteria and underlines the Network’s commitment to transform diabetes treatment and care.”
