Diabetes UK’s Primary Care Network

Every clinician working in primary care is keenly aware that the number of people with diabetes is rising and that the care of people with the condition is taking up an increasingly large proportion of clinical time. Treatment options are becoming more complex, particularly when hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity and other comorbid conditions are considered. There are guidelines to be followed and individualisation of care to be discussed, while the time available remains extremely pressured.

Diabetes UK, the UK’s leading diabetes charity, has worked with diabetes specialists across the UK to create the Primary Care Network to help support healthcare professionals in meeting these huge challenges. The Network, which is free to join, provides independent content, expert insight and knowledge, and a range of tools and resources that have been developed to support healthcare professionals improve patient outcomes in the primary care setting.

Highlights of membership include:

• Monthly e-newsletters focusing on the latest advances in diabetes care and management, including newly released guidelines. 
• Tailored content providing practical, hands-on insights from primary care to help improve daily practice.
• Resources to improve care, from Diabetes UK and other trusted online resources.
• Printed copies of Diabetes UK’s quarterly magazines: Update (combining news, features, fact sheets and treatment overviews for professionals working in diabetes healthcare and research); and Balance (a magazine informing patients about the latest news in diabetes, providing delicious recipes and more).
• Support with developing service improvement through evidence-based guidance through Diabetes UK’s Shared Practice Library (collating examples of good practice in diabetes care).
• Access to a wide range of patient resources for use in diabetes consultations. 
• Keeping up to date with latest training available to support your learning and development in diabetes, accessed through dedicated sections for professional development and diabetes conferences on the Diabetes UK website.

 
Become a member
Over 5000 primary care professionals already benefit from the Network. 
 
To join, go to: www.diabetes.org.uk/pcn1

Endorsements

• “With so many varied pressures and demands as a Practice Nurse, it can be hard to keep on top of all the latest developments in long-term conditions. Being a member of the Primary Care Network has allowed me to stay up-to-date with the latest diabetes news and best practice. I regularly access Diabetes UK’s resources and my membership keeps me informed when new resources are available, allowing me to use them in my practice to the benefit of those in my care straight away.” Nicola Milne, Community Diabetes Specialist Nurse
• “Diabetes is everyone’s concern and, with pressures on primary care workforce and finances, pharmacists have become an integral part of the new outlook of primary care service pathways and delivery. The Diabetes UK Primary Care Network has supported my professional growth, it has helped me connect with other like-minded professionals, kept me updated with new research evidence, models of care delivery and the national diabetes political climate. The Network is a resource I believe helps me grow comfortably into my diabetes specialist pharmacist role in primary care.” Charles Odiase, Advanced Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner and Diabetes Lead