Think Diabetes

We are delighted to be working with several member organisations on our Think Diabetes initiative. The project aims to document case studies of good practice within organisations, highlighting how they support staff to manage their diabetes (by allowing them time to complete structured education, for example), and other long-term health conditions.

Evidence informs us that people with diabetes, who have completed structured education, better manage their condition and have fewer days sickness absence, benefitting both employees with diabetes and employers.

A 2015 report by The All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes showed that many structured education courses require substantial time off work during the week. This is a major disincentive to attendance as people often do not wish to use annual leave for this purpose. The report recommends that:

“The clear benefits to peoples health of attending education courses mean that the government should give people the legal right to time off work to attend education courses about their diabetes, that their healthcare team believe are appropriate to their needs.”

We are working with Human Resources and Occupational Health Managers to consider how organisational policies can be changed to further support people with long-term health conditions. The following member organisations have committed to piloting the Think Diabetes initiative in collaborations with Health Innovation Network:

• Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust;
• Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust;
• Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust;
• Bexley Council;
• Southwark Council and;
• London South Bank University.

For further information about this initiative, please contact rodwatson@nhs.net.