Creating a better future for people with diabetes in West Yorkshire

On Tuesday, 11 March, healthcare professionals, policymakers and stakeholders gathered in Leeds for the West Yorkshire All Age Integrated Diabetes Summit. The event provided an opportunity for experts and partners to come together to help shape the future of diabetes care in our region.

Key objectives included:

• Establishing a shared vision for diabetes care in West Yorkshire
• Setting out how we achieve long-term goals
• Agreeing priorities for 2025/26 and beyond, with a focus on:
  • enhancing young adult transition care
  • ensuring fair access to diabetes medical technology
  • addressing local needs
• Contributing to the 10-year strategy, ensuring diabetes remains a top priority
• Defining actions and responsibilities to align with agreed priorities

A collaborative approach to change

The summit was prompted by a children and young adults (CYA) and adults ‘get it right first time’ (GIRFT) visit, which highlighted the need for clearer priority areas over the next year. The event confirmed the importance of bringing together those involved in diabetes care and support regularly to track progress and share insights.

A key outcome of the summit was the emergence of a diabetes strategic plan, structured around three priority areas:

1. Prevention of diabetes

• NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP)
• Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme (T2DR)
• Synergy with obesity and overweight initiatives

2. Prevention of diabetes-related complications

• Improving treatment targets through early intervention
• Addressing access gaps in care processes such as foot care, HbA1c testing (amount of sugar or glucose in your blood) and medication reviews
• Enhancing psychological support to reduce variation across the region
• Expanding equitable transition clinics for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Assessing the effectiveness of structured education
• Providing tailored support for diabetes technology use

3. Living well with diabetes

• Addressing the needs of individuals with multiple long-term conditions, learning disabilities and mental health challenges
• Using data to identify high-impact areas, such as emergency hypoglycaemia (very low blood sugar) admissions
• Empowering individuals to manage their own health risks
• Focusing on high-risk populations, particularly those aged 16-39 with type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Enablers and barriers

Discussions throughout the summit identified key enablers and barriers that will influence diabetes care improvements:

• The need for a centralised dashboard for diabetes intelligence in West Yorkshire
• Agreement on standard measures of diabetes care success
• Recognising that different areas may approach care differently while striving for common outcomes
• Strengthening existing forums to encourage collaboration
• Ensuring diabetes education and resources are tailored to age and need
• Addressing knowledge gaps across the system
• Exploring opportunities to support staff mobility and upskilling
• Expanding digital resources to enhance patient education
• Overcoming barriers such as poverty and digital access

Next steps

The outcomes of this summit mark the beginning of an important transformation in diabetes care across West Yorkshire. A draft diabetes strategic plan will be available for consultation in the coming weeks.

Sarah De Biase, Senior Programme Manager, Improving Population Health, said:

“By making actionable changes we can ensure diabetes care is more effective, accessible and equitable for all. The summit provided a vital opportunity for people invested in improving outcomes for people living with diabetes to collaborate, share insights, and set clear priorities. Now, we must build on this momentum and take steps to implement real change.”

Dr Waqas Tahir, Diabetes Clinical Lead and GP with the Affinity Care PCN in Bradford Place and who is also the Diabetes Clinical Lead for North East Yorkshire and West Yorkshire added:

“Diabetes care is evolving, and it is essential that we keep pace with the latest advancements in medical technology, treatment strategies and patient-centred approaches. By working together, we can ensure that every individual, regardless of age or background, has access to the best possible care and support to manage their condition effectively.”