The Diabetes Team at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust celebrated winning at this year’s Quality in Care Diabetes Awards, just in time for World Diabetes Day today (Friday 14 November).
The Young Adults Diabetes Team at St Helens Hospital were crowned winners for revolutionising diabetes care for 18–25-year-olds, after transforming the service for young people.
Introducing psychological support has been a big focus for the clinic, and at the time of introducing this initiative around 34% of young adults had moderate to severe mental health problems. This has now reduced to around 2 in 10 patients, thanks to the attentiveness of the team.
Encouraging patients to make the most of advanced diabetes technology, introducing a transitional clinic for patients aged 16-17 who are about to move to the young adult’s clinic, and implementing a rapid response clinic for young people needing urgent care for their condition are some of the changes which helped them win the prestigious award.
And the results speak volumes, with an impressive 93% of patients using the service rating their experience positively.
One of the patients supported by the young adults team is Wigan Warriors Women rugby player Megan Williams, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just seven years old.
Thanks to the outstanding care and ongoing support of the Young Adults Diabetes Team Megan has been able to pursue her love of rugby and make history too, recently winning Wigan’s first ever Women’s Challenge Cup Trophy.
Though the towns have historic sporting rivalry, Megan has nothing but positivity for the St Helens Hospital Diabetes Clinic. She said: “St Helens Hospital Diabetes Clinic has had a huge impact in helping me manage my Type 1 diabetes.
“They’ve given me clear guidance on insulin management, nutrition, and daily routines, which has made living with diabetes much easier.
“The team has also helped me understand how different foods and activities affect my blood sugar levels, giving me the confidence to train and play rugby league without fear and stay in control of my condition.
“I always feel like I can be honest and myself within this team and can come to them with anything which I will be forever grateful for.”
Sarah O’Brien, Chief Nurse said: “Having worked as a diabetes nurse for many years, I know just how challenging it can be to navigate the condition and it’s essential for people living with diabetes to have access to effective education.
The work the team are doing to educate younger people will really help them to grow and understand how to manage their condition in the best possible way so that they can stay well and still have a happy and healthy childhood.”
Megan Williams, (pictured second left) with her Challenge Cup medal and some of the Young Adult Diabetes Team
Some of the Young Adults Diabetes Team at the awards ceremony
The Young Adults Diabetes Team with their award