Education and skills training is the focus of Diabetes Professional Care 2017, supported by Pharmacy Magazine as its official media partner.

Held at Olympia, London, on November 15-16, Diabetes Professional Care 2017 is a free-to-attend, CPD-accredited event for healthcare professionals including pharmacists involved in the prevention, management and treatment of diabetes and its related conditions.

The number of people with diabetes in the UK is expected to rise to 7.2 million by 2025, yet the number of specialist diabetes staff is in decline and those working at the frontline of care need more skills training.

“It is vital that people with diabetes receive the support and care they need to help manage their condition,” says Maggie Meer, founder, Diabetes Professional Care. “Better access to education is required to address the gaps in knowledge and skills of those working in primary and secondary care.”

Now in its third year, the conference will see thought leaders and practitioners share their expertise and knowledge with healthcare professionals. There will also be a programme of hands-on workshops, special show features, an exhibition of diabetes solutions and networking areas.

Sessions

Sessions and workshops that may be of particular interest to community pharmacists include:

• Health creation in diabetes: the role of the community pharmacist
Mark Robinson, medicines optimisation adviser at NHS Alliance discusses how pharmacists
can empower patients to take control of their condition.

• What part can primary care play in increasing numbers that take up retinopathy screening invitations? What are the barriers to attendance?
Nikita Padda, NHS NWL engagement manager, North West London Diabetic Eye Screening Programme will address the DNA rates for diabetic eye screening.

• Preventing diabetes through focused treatment of obesity
Professor Paul Gately, professor of exercise and obesity, Leeds Beckett University, explores the impact of severe obesity on type 2 diabetes.

• The role and impact of specialist diabetes pharmacists
Victoria Ruszala, specialist diabetes pharmacist, North Bristol NHS Trust, outlines the current situation and future opportunities for pharmacists involved in diabetes care.

• New DPC foot and wound clinic
Led by a clinical podiatry team from Solent NHS Trust, this includes a session on How competent are you in assessing diabetic foot? by Anna Littlejohn, advanced practitioner podiatrist, Solent NHS Trust.

Innovation zone

The Edge innovation zone will feature new solutions from healthcare and tech start-ups. Exhibitors include TickleFLEX, with an award-winning insulin injection aid, and Inotec AMD, with its new NATROX oxygen wound therapy, for faster wound healing.