Supporting a new culture of innovative collaboration for diabetes service redesign through a bespoke professional education programme for primary care practitioners

Aim: Professional education is one of the key requirements of a new diabetes service. To facilitate this, a bespoke university work-based learning programme was developed following a primary care training needs analysis. Methods: Four teaching modules – injectable therapy initiation, injectable therapy management, foot screening and caring for people with Type 2 diabetes – were developed by the University of Huddersfield in collaboration with local specialist diabetes teams. The University hosts the training and provides the infrastructure. A work-based learning approach to facilitate education in practice is supported by mentors from specialist services. Assessment of competence is measured against a validated tool and clinical management plans. Results: Nine practitioners attended the initial ‘Assessing for and Initiating Injectable TherapiesModule’ – six have completed. Nineteen practitioners attended the first‘ManagingType 2 Diabetes Programme’ and 22 practitioners have attended a ‘Managing Injectable Therapies Module’ – nine have completed. Ninety practitioners applied for the foot care programme. Thirty-eight practitioners attended two courses and are undergoing podiatry mentorship assessment. Conclusions: Collaborative working to develop bespoke courses ensures a consistent approach which is sensitive to local needs and supports local pathways. Student evaluations of the training programme are positive, particularly mentorship by specialist staff in practice which has fostered a climate of closer collaborative working. Joint working with pharmaceutical partners has assisted in course promotion and post course support. The University has strengthene