Consultant Physician in Diabetes and Endocrinology, York Hospital
Vijay has been a Diabetes Consultant since 2005 and clinical lead since 2009. He is involved in all areas of diabetes care but has particular responsibility for the pump, renal and foot services. As clinical lead he has overseen the overhaul of diabetes care in the York area. Collaboration between the CCG, hospital trust, University of York, DUK and other patient representatives led to a remodelled service that was commissioned and launched in 2014. The project identified significant savings which were re-invested directly back into the diabetes service. This has ensured many more people with diabetes have access to specialist care and at a time and place that is convenient to them.
Hospital clinics are not always set up in a way that makes it easy for people to access. This may explain why some people who may benefit do not attend, particularly amongst the young. Understanding the barriers and finding solutions such as by using audio-visual technology may help to make it easier for people to access specialist services. Vijay is hoping to use his time as clinical champion to explore this and to establish regular participation of people with diabetes in how services are developed and run.
To contact Dr Vijay Jayagopal, please e-mail clinicalchampions@diabetes.org.uk
