Local nurse chosen as diabetes champion for the south west

A nurse from Swindon has been selected as a Diabetes UK Clinical Champion, to help transform care for people living with diabetes in the area.

Mel Curtis, senior diabetes sister at Great Western Hospital Foundation Trust, was chosen for her passion for, and commitment to, excellence in diabetes care.

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications that include blindness, amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

Diabetes care can vary widely in different regions, and many people struggle to access the vital services they need to manage their condition well. As a Clinical Champion, Mel will join a two-year leadership development programme, supported by Diabetes UK. Through her training, she will identify areas in need of improvement and drive vital changes to the diabetes services that people in Swindon and surrounding areas receive.

Mel Curtis said: “I am excited about my role as Diabetes UK Clinical Champion. My main focus will be improving patient and clinician access to available technologies that support and improve diabetes management. I also hope to improve contact with the hospital diabetes team inside and outside the acute hospital setting.”

Gaynor is one of 20 UK healthcare professionals, including consultants, nurses, GPs, dietitians, podiatrists, pharmacists and psychologists to be appointed as a Clinical Champion this year.

Annika Palmer, Diabetes UK south west regional head, said: “Diabetes is the most devastating and fastest-growing health crisis of our time, and now affects 4.6 million people across the UK. That’s more than cancer and dementia combined – and more than any other serious health condition in the UK.

“Investing in diabetes care in this way will help reduce serious complications, and in turn reduce the devastating personal – and economic – costs that can result from poor management of the condition.

“Champions like Mel Curtis play a critical role in improving the services people with diabetes receive, and contribute massively to our vision of creating a world where diabetes can do no harm.”

The award-winning Clinical Champions programme provides leadership development to healthcare professionals, enabling them to improve diabetes care and bring innovative solutions to local problems. There are now 85 champions across the UK who have access to a network of like-minded clinicians with whom they can share expertise, experience and best practice.

If you are interested in becoming a Diabetes UK Clinical Champion for the 2019-2021 intake please contact [email protected] or call 020 7424 1892. This is a Diabetes UK project in collaboration with Novo Nordisk, who are providing support and funding.