Regional Pathway will Improve the lives of young people living with Diabetes

Marking World Diabetes Day, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, 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: 

1. The Northern Ireland Diabetes Network brings together people living with diabetes, carers, and health and social care professionals to work in partnership with Diabetes UK on the design and delivery of better diabetes services. Further information available at https://online.hscni.net/partnerships/diabetes-network/.
2. 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.
3. The Diabetes Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland is available on the DoH website here. 
4. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
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