10
NEWS
Supporting newly diagnosed T1D
New international guidance from
Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF
International) detailing how to
monitor and support people with
early-stage type 1 diabetes (T1D) has
the potential to reduce the trauma
associated with being diagnosed
with T1D, enable people to access the
latest treatments to delay the need
for insulin therapy, and reduce any
long-term health complications.
Type 1 diabetes progresses
gradually in stages and is usually
diagnosed at a point when insulin
treatment is already required,
which can result in hospital stays.
Evidence shows that identifying T1D
in the early stages has significant
mental and physical health benefits,
including the prevention of diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA) and long-term
health complications, while also being
more cost effective for healthcare
systems.
In the UK and elsewhere here are
research projects screening children
and adults for Type 1 diabetes but,
prior to this guidance, there was no
consensus on how best to monitor
disease progression in people with
early-stage Type 1 diabetes. Driven by
Breakthrough T1D and endorsed by
key diabetes organisations including
the American Diabetes Association,
the European Association for
the Study of Diabetes, and the
International Society for Paediatric
and Adolescent Diabetes, the newly
released monitoring guidance
outlines several recommendations.
• It establishes how adults,
children, and pregnant individuals
diagnosed as 'at risk' of or with
early-stage Type 1 diabetes should
be supported and monitored.
This includes the best methods
and recommended frequency
for re-testing to monitor
disease progression across presymptomatic
stages*, as well as the
point at which insulin should be
introduced.
• It recommends partnerships
between diabetes specialists and
primary care to provide people
with early-stage T1D with regular
blood glucose checks, education
about Type 1 diabetes and access
to clinical trials and emerging
treatments.
• It outlines what is required among
health care practitioners to ensure
that pre-symptomatic detection
and follow up is successful,
and that the educational needs
and psychosocial support that
individuals and families may require
are met.
• It states that people with earlystage
T1D should be offered
approved therapies to delay their
need for insulin treatment. I
• Finally, it emphasises the need for
further research involving people
at-risk of and those with earlystage
T1D to increase the rigour
of future recommendations and
inform clinical care.
More than 60 international T1D
experts have co-authored the
consensus document, including
Breakthrough T1D-funded
researchers and expert members of
the staff team.
Celebrating UK nursing heroes
The winners of the first Diabetes Nursing Awards 2024
have been announced at an event in London in June
2024. Organised by communications, events and medical
education agency Orange Juice Communications, and
hosted by Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE, the event celebrated
nursing heroes from across the UK who have
demonstrated outstanding innovation and excellence in
diabetes care. The winners were:
• Diabetes Educator of the Year: Paula LavandeiraFernandez
(Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust)
• Innovation Award: ComPASSION project (University
Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust and Dorset
HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust)
• Primary Care Nurse of the Year: Callum MetcalfeO'Shea
(Royal College of Nursing and NHS Norfolk and
Waveney Integrated Care Board)
• Rising Star Award: Grace Grudgings (Leicester Diabetes
Centre - University of Leicester and University
Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust)
• Secondary Care Nurse of the Year: Paula LavandeiraFernandez
(Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust)
• Service Improvement Project of the Year: Laura Gilligan
(East Suffolk and North East Essex NHS Foundation
Trust)
• Paediatric Nurse of the Year: Helen Day (Mersey and
West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)
• Research Project of the Year: Integrated Diabetes Care
for People with Advanced
• CKD: Clinical Research Programme (Royal Free London
NHS Foundation Trust)
Event organiser Emily Mayhew said: "We are thrilled
to recognise these remarkable individuals who have
dedicated themselves to advancing diabetes care and
education. Their innovative approaches and tireless
efforts have made a significant difference to the lives of
people living with diabetes."
For more information about the Diabetes Nursing
Awards, visit: www.diabetesnursingawards.co.uk