A local primary care network (PCN) is leading the way in improving care for patients with diabetes.
Herne Bay PCN is trialling a multi-disciplinary team pilot to make its services more accessible for complex and poorly controlled diabetic patients.
It comes after East Kent Health and Care Partnership (HCP) - which has been looking to develop a community-based diabetic service - selected Herne Bay PCN to trial the model.
Working together
Practices have joined forces with local health organisations to give patients the opportunity to speak with all the professionals involved in their care, at the same time and in the same place.
The combined team have been running weekly face-to-face clinics at Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Herne Bay – providing patients with access to dieticians, podiatry services, psychological therapies, and lifestyle support services.
Since it launched in September 2021, more than 67 per cent of clients have seen a drop in their HbA1c rates (a test for blood sugar levels).
More recently, East Kent HCP were recognised by Healthwatch Kent in an awards ceremony for involving patients in the commissioning and delivery of diabetes services.
Dr Jeremy Carter, Clinical Director of Herne Bay PCN, is leading the project.
He said: “Diabetes has always been a clinical priority for our PCN due to the high prevalence of diabetic patients in our population.
“While there were many services for patients, these were fragmented, and working separately from each other, with patients attending several independent appointments, or sometimes none at all.
“Patients can now access care closer to home and can access wider support for their needs without having to travel.
“We have seen significant improvements in feedback from both patients and staff and a reduction in blood sugar levels across the diabetic population in Herne Bay.”
More about the services commissioned to support people living with diabetes in Kent and Medway can be found here.