To co-incide with the first ever national Insulin Safety week, our own Diabetes team are running a campaign with the simple message of #thinkinsulin.

The team are visiting all wards and aim to meet as many nurses as possible to raise awareness of the importance of insulin doses in patients with type 1 diabetes, as well as trying to improve all-round insulin safety.

The team will be visiting as many nurses as they can and will offer advice, simple quizes (yes there are prizes!) and a quick teaching session to hopefully leave a powerful impact on all our healthcare professionals. This year our focus will be on the continuing long acting insulin in type 1 diabetes and Insulin Infusion in Type 1 diabetes patients.

Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse Ani Kumar, said:  “Our aim to help colleagues understand that missing Insulin in Type 1 diabetes is detrimental and also can cause potential harm by not managing people on Insulin Infusion properly. All type 1 diabetics on Insulin infusion must receive their Long acting insulin.’

"I'd like to thank diabetes support nurses Serena Williamson and Laura Emms who have worked hard on this campaign". 

                                                                                                                                                                                        

...All this is hot on the heels of this week's announcement that the team have been awarded funds to roll-out 7-day working of the service. 

The CHFT Diabetes Service is already leading the way in improving outcomes for our in-patients with diabetes and the results now coming out are also positive. The 7-day week will start on Saturday 26 May.  The extended service should improve the equality of treatment and outcome regardless of the day of the week and ensuring all of our patients achieve the best clinical outcomes as well as a positive experience of care.

Referring and service hours

Routine referrals will not be accepted unless staff have the capacity. Referrals ‘MUST’ be made via EPR. You can also contact via mobile, but EPR referrals are mandatory. The role is purely ‘nurse support’ and medical issues must be addressed by medics on call. A medical plan must be put in place.  The role will focus on educating patients on the use of BG meters, insulin pen devices, hypoglycemia advice and aiming for early discharge and reducing LOS.  

  • Working Hours:  9:30 -13:15 hours
  • Working Pattern:  Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 3.75 hours each
  • Availability:  1 DSN (diabetes support nurse cross sites)
  • Method of Contact:  Mobile 07795540193 (only for weekend working) and EPR.