Chamber and committees

As part of the Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG), we have an inpatient sub-group, with a focus on improving diabetes care in hospitals.

The inpatient group, with support from the SDG, will carry out a national inpatient audit this year. The purpose of the audit is to review the diabetes care currently being provided in hospitals The data will also highlight any areas for improvement and help NHS Boards to make any necessary improvements to the care and treatment of people living with diabetes in hospitals.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s professional education toolkit ‘Think, Check, Act’ has also been reviewed and was updated in December 2022. We are continuing to work with NHS Boards, NHS Education for Scotland and other key stakeholders to embed Diabetes ‘Think, Check, Act’ modules into healthcare professional education to ensure that people with diabetes have access to the best possible care and treatment whilst they are in hospital.

Officials meet regularly with Diabetes Scotland in order to identify areas of shared interest and opportunities for collaboration. Representatives from Diabetes Scotland sit on the Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG) and its sub-groups.

The Scottish Government has funded the ALLIANCE to develop a network of people living with diabetes. The experience of people within this network is key to the success of implementing the Diabetes Improvement Plan.

People living with diabetes are represented on SDG sub-groups and are co-producing specific pieces of work such as the diabetes education pathways and prescribing guidelines.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14393 on 9 February 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The information in the format requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Diabetes Survey records blood pressure less than or equal to 140 mmHg and can be found by following link: https://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/publications/#survey-docs.

The Scottish Diabetes Survey 2021 is due to be published this month, February 2023.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14364 on 9 February 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14364 on 9 February 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

As part of the Scottish Diabetes Group, we have a sub-group focusing on Education. This group is currently working towards a ‘Once for Scotland’ pathway for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes – both of which will have pregnancy specific content and support.

The Framework for the Prevention, Early Detection and Early Intervention of Type 2 Diabetes indicates that for those diagnosed with gestational diabetes, structured education for the prevention of Type 2 diabetes should be offered post-partum and, where appropriate, referral to a weight management programme after pregnancy. Through investment, some NHS Boards have developed enhanced options for pregnant women for treatment of gestational diabetes in pregnancy. These involve education and clinical support provided by specialist midwives and dietitians.

This information is not held centrally. However, the Scottish Diabetes Education Advisory Group (SDEAG) has been working with undergraduate medical education partners in order to ensure that appropriate education on diabetes is included in the curriculum. The Inpatient Sub-Group of the Scottish Diabetes Group has also been working to improve the ‘Think, Check, Act’ training module hosted by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

The Type 2 Prevention Framework has also provided opportunities for several professional groups to participate in continued professional development, including training on trauma informed care and the psychological impact of overweight and obesity on diabetes management.

As part of the implementation of the Diabetes Improvement Plan, we funded a Diabetes Improvement Lead post. The primary aim of this role was to support the sub-group chairs and key stakeholders to utilise data from the diabetes dashboard and implement quality improvement methodology across their programmes of work.

One example of this is the development of the quality index scoring system to enable teams to share learning and make best use of the SCI-Diabetes data. Other examples include mapping of current education processes across Scotland and ongoing tests of change to identify ‘Once for Scotland’ pathways for the delivery of diabetes education.

Raising awareness of Type 1 diabetes in Primary Care is a commitment within the Diabetes Improvement Plan. The Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG) has a sub-group focusing on Type 1 Diabetes and this group has representation from Primary Care clinicians. The sub-group will focus on development of a Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) prevention campaign across primary care, using the well-established ‘Think, Check, Act’ communications material.

Various other strands of the Diabetes Improvement Plan programmes will influence the delivery of this commitment, including the development of a ‘Once for Scotland’ education pathway, which will highlight diagnostic routes and risk factors that clinicians in primary care should be aware of.