A diabetes programme in Sheffield has been boosted with £845,000 of funding to continue to develop its valuable work in the city. This brings the total funding across two years to £1.4million.

The Diabetes Treatment and Care Programme, for people with Type 1 and 2 diabetes, aims to provide extra support in both GP practices and hospitals.

At NHS Sheffield CCG Tracey Turton has been leading the work to support GP practice staff in helping their patients with diabetes reduce their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Primary care development nurse Tracey said the work started in July last year and they had already seen some improvements across the city and the extra funding would help further develop the work over the next year.

“We've held meetings with all the city’s GP practices - these have given us the opportunity to discuss the project, share  knowledge and  information and to design resources  to help practice staff  working  with their diabetic patients, to improve the management of BP, cholesterol and blood sugars to nationally agreed targets.''

Tracey said they had also worked with several hundred members of the public educating them about diabetes and providing lifestyle advice and that the feedback had been very positive. They had particularly targeted some of the harder to reach groups in the city.

 “The funding will help us recruit extra staff to build on this work - ultimately this is all about getting better long-term outcomes for people with diabetes in Sheffield.”