Published on: 17 July 2019
A consultant who works across South Tyneside and Sunderland has been selected as a Diabetes UK Clinical Champion, to help transform care for people living with diabetes in the local area.
Dr Alison Heggie, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust 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 26,000 people living with diabetes across South Tyneside and Sunderland. 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 Heggie 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 South Tyneside and Sunderland receive.
Dr Alison Heggie said: “I am delighted to have been awarded a position as a Diabetes UK Clinical Champion and am excited to continue working with the excellent diabetes team in South Tyneside to continue their dedicated and innovative work through the promotion of healthcare professional education to all involved with inpatient care. I see this as a great opportunity for the region to help support the care of people with diabetes.”
Dr Alison Heggie is one of twenty UK healthcare professionals, including consultants, nurses, GPs, dietitians, podiatrists, pharmacists and psychologists to be appointed as clinical champions this year.
Clare Howarth, Head of the North of England at Diabetes UK 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 Heggie 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.uk or call 020 7424 1052. This is a Diabetes UK project in collaboration with Novo Nordisk who are providing support and funding.
