A PSYCHOLOGIST from Wrexham Maelor Hospital has been selected as a Diabetes UK Clinical Champion, to help transform care for people living with diabetes in the area.
Dr Rose Stewart, a Principal Clinical Psychologist at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board 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. There are over 194,000 people living with diabetes in Wales, the highest prevalence in the UK. There are also over 61,000 people in Wales living with Type 2 diabetes, who don’t know they have it because they haven’t been diagnosed. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications such as sight loss, 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, Dr Stewart 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 the region receive.
Dr Stewart said: "I’m really excited about my new role as a Diabetes UK Clinical Champion, and making a real difference to the lives of people living with diabetes in Wales and across the UK.
"I plan to do this by developing understanding, resources and initiatives to increase psychological wellbeing in all diabetes services, and getting young people who live with diabetes involved in designing and improving their services."
Dr Stewart is one of 20 UK healthcare professionals, including consultants, nurses, GPs, dietitians, podiatrists, pharmacists and psychologists to be appointed as Clinical Champions this year.
Dai Williams, National Director, Diabetes UK Cymru, said: "Investing in training and upskilling healthcare professionals can help reduce the number of serious diabetes-related complications, and in turn the devastating personal – and economic – costs they bring.
"Clinical champions like Dr Stewart play a critical role in improving the treatment and support people with diabetes receive so that they can lead long and healthy lives."
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 105 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 2020-2022 intake please contact
clinicalchampions@diabetes.org.ukor call 020 7424 1052.
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