Marking World Diabetes Day, Health Minister , welcomed the innovative
Regional Young Adults' Progression Pathway.
Minister Nesbitt said:
“I recognise that diabetes is one of the most challenging chronic
conditions facing people, including young people and it impacts
many aspects of every day life.
“I welcome the establishment of the Regional Young Adults
Progression Pathway which has been co-designed with and for young
people. The new pathway will provide help and support to
young people living with Type 1 diabetes, enabling them to move
more easily and smoothly into adult services and equipping them
with the knowledge and tools they need to self-manage their
condition through a time when they are already experiencing many
changes in their life.
“Living with or caring for someone living
with diabetes can affect every part of a person's life. That is
why this World Diabetes Day highlights the importance of
supporting wellbeing as part of a holistic approach to diabetes
treatment and care.”
The Department of Health's Diabetes Strategic Framework 2016
recognised the role of wellbeing. To realise its vision of care,
to improve outcomes for people living with diabetes or at risk of
developing diabetes, the NI Diabetes Network has been working
with the Public Health Agency, Diabetes UK and people living with
diabetes to standardise access and provide equity through
integration of diabetes services, supporting treatment and care
now and in the future.
The establishment of a regional pathway to help young people with
type 1 diabetes transition smoothly to adult services for their
diabetes treatment and care is the latest service innovation.
The Regional Young Adults' Progression Pathway, coproduced with
stakeholders, including young people living with Type 1 diabetes,
aims to ensure that all young people living with diabetes have a
supportive, smooth and seamless transition to adult diabetes
services.
Linda Wylie, Regional Programme Lead, Diabetes Network, said:
“Having considered service provision across the five nations and
beyond, a coproduced a bespoke model for the young people of
Northern Ireland has been developed. This pathway model
recognises the importance of transition in a young person's
journey, which can affect their self-management and wellbeing
into their adult life.”
Dr King, Clinical Lead, NI Diabetes Network said:
“Transition is a process, not a one-off transfer of care, where a
young person moves from paediatric services to adult services. It
is especially important that our young people are given support
at a time when they are going through big life changes.
Flexibility of service provision is paramount to meet the stage,
needs and development of the young person, and this approach will
provide that.
“The smooth transition of children from paediatric to adult
services will ensure young people's specific needs are met by
providing high standards of clinical practice and care. This will
support positive health and wellbeing outcomes and good quality
of life for our young people as they continue their life-long
journey. This in turn supports their families and carers in the
knowledge that their loved ones have the skills required.”
Young people will be offered support and guidance throughout the
three stages of transition within this model – across
preparation, active and young adult stages. This approach will
help manage the overall transition process and promote
understanding, as well as supporting the young person to become
involved in their progression planning. This will give them the
much-needed tools and skills to be more independent in managing
their diabetes, in addition to the support available to young
people from healthcare professionals involved throughout their
care. Each young person will have a lead healthcare professional
who can help them navigate services and signpost them to other
sources of support and advice, as appropriate.
The Network is committed to providing support to young people
across Northern Ireland and improve the outcomes of future
generations. This service will transform young people's lives and
better support their ongoing self-management of their life-long
condition.
Notes to editors:
- The Northern Ireland Diabetes Network brings together people
living with diabetes(external link opens
in a new window / tab), carers, and health and social
care professionals to work in partnership with Diabetes UK(external
link opens in a new window / tab) on the design and
delivery of better diabetes services. Further information
available at https://online.hscni.net/partnerships/diabetes-network/(external
link opens in a new window / tab).
- There are almost 115,000 people in Northern Ireland living
with diabetes. Approximately 9% of adults living with diabetes
are living with type 1 diabetes. Approximately 98% of children
diagnosed with diabetes are living with type 1 diabetes.
- The Diabetes Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland is
available on the DoH website here.
