Quality Improvement project Type 2 Diabetes Group consultations
Our next programme will begin in January 2025. If you’re a patient of ours and would like to learn more, we will be holding an informational session about the programme on Wednesday, 08th January, at 12:00 PM at the surgery.
What Are Group Consultations?
Group consultations are an innovative approach in primary care that brings individuals together to support each other in managing long-term conditions. These sessions create an opportunity for patients to share their experiences, learn from one another, and gain valuable insights into managing their health more effectively.
What Did We Do?
Our lead nurse, Sharon Norbury, noticed that many of our patients were being referred to the NHS-funded Diabetes Prevention Programme, but a significant proportion of them were not attending. This absence could be attributed to several factors, particularly the barriers to healthcare faced in North Trafford, such as language difficulties, limited access to technology, and the challenges of attending sessions outside the area due to logistical constraints.
To address this, Sharon, along with our lead pharmacist, Ishaq Goga, decided to run a pilot project. They reached out to local health champions for support, and Carolyn Driver, a retired nurse and ambassador for Public Health Collaboration UK, agreed to help us with this initiative. This collaboration allowed us to explore ways to overcome the barriers patients were facing and improve their engagement with the program. We sent out an expression to our patients and formed a group of 10 people.
The Programme
We informed our patients that we would be meeting as a group every two weeks for one hour at the Limelight Health and Well-Being Hub. During these sessions, we would cover a variety of topics. While the focus was on diet, we emphasized that managing health is multifactorial. In addition to diet, we also addressed the importance of getting enough sleep, maintaining good mental well-being, and incorporating regular exercise, all of which significantly impact overall health.
To track progress, we measured key health markers such as blood pressure, weight, and relevant blood tests, including HbA1c, prior to the first meeting.
The programme covered a range of educational topics, including the types of food to eat and the importance of recognizing the “hidden” sugars found in many everyday foods. These hidden sugars are often a root cause of poor metabolic health, which can lead to various health complications, as illustrated in the tree image above. Our patients were shocked when we presented them with information about the hidden sugars in common foods, highlighting how they contribute to health issues.
To track progress, we measured key health markers such as blood pressure, weight, and relevant blood tests, including HbA1c, prior to the first meeting.
The programme covered a range of educational topics, including the types of food to eat and the importance of recognizing the “hidden” sugars found in many everyday foods. These hidden sugars are often a root cause of poor metabolic health, which can lead to various health complications, as illustrated in the tree image above. Our patients were shocked when we presented them with information about the hidden sugars in common foods, highlighting how they contribute to health issues.