Last month (February 2022), the first meeting took place of a new group that aims to improve care and awareness of monogenic diabetes in the North East and Yorkshire – one of the national transformation projects for the Genomic Medicine Service Alliance
Monogenic diabetes is a rare type of diabetes caused by a change or mutation to a single gene. It differs from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and often requires genetic testing for an accurate diagnosis, which can lead to better treatment.
In the North East and Yorkshire, the Monogenic Diabetes Group has now been set up to bring together clinicians to help improve identification rates of monogenic diabetes and its treatment. All Lead Doctors and Link Nurses/Midwives across the North East and Yorkshire are invited to attend.
Lea Davidson, Diabetes Specialist Nurse for the North East and Yorkshire Genomic Medicine Service Alliance, said “It’s really positive for this group to meet and spend time discussing what can be done within our trusts and networks to improve our practice and, ultimately, care for patients with this rare condition.”
“There are lots of opportunities to get involved with this project, such as becoming a Monogenic Diabetes Champion, supporting patient & public involvement, or attending training and cascading information to improve awareness, and I’d really encourage those interested to sign up.”
The Group sits within the Diabetes Clinical Networks for North East and North Cumbria, and Yorkshire and Humber. The Group is an opportunity for clinicians to access support from our Clinical Lead (Dr Ruth MacInerney) and Genetic Diabetes Nurses (Julie Cropper, Anita Murphy, Denise Unsworth and Charlotte Jenkins), and to start collaborating on improving care pathways across our region to improve equity of access to testing.
The first meeting took place on Wednesday 23rd February and will be held bi-monthly. If you are interested in joining the Group and becoming a Lead Doctor or Link Nurse/Midwife for your Trust or service please email [email protected].
For further information on Monogenic Diabetes, visit www.diabetesgenes.org.