Award for diabetes training programme

A diabetes specialist who worked with our School of Health and Social Care to deliver training for professionals has been recognised for her excellence in teaching.

Sheila Smyth, Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse at North East Essex Diabetes Service (NEEDS), worked with colleagues to design and deliver a series of continuing professional development (CPD) modules in advanced diabetes management.

More than 140 doctors, nurses, and other health and social care professionals in the region have now taken the courses, learning about the latest developments in diabetes research and advice for managing the condition. 

Mrs Smyth was named ‘Outstanding Educator of Diabetes’ at the recent Quality in Care Diabetes Awards. Commenting on her work, the judges said: “Sheila Smyth not only delivered accredited education at the University of Essex, she also devised and wrote the whole programme, supported by local consultants and her team. She truly is an inspirational lead.”

Mrs Smyth said: “Key to the success of NEEDS has been the up-skilling of healthcare professionals to link in with diabetes specialist teams, which has helped to provide high quality care for patients living within the area.

“I am very grateful to receive this award and would really like to thank the entirety of the NEEDS team for their contributions to the service along with colleagues from the University for their tremendous support.”

The programme is part of a wide range of CPD for medical staff offered by our School of Health and Social Care. 

“Partnerships between leading specialists from the healthcare sector and our own expert staff give us the opportunity to deliver high quality CPD,” explained Vikki-Jo Scott, Head of the School. “All qualified health and social care professionals are expected to engage in ongoing professional development and we bring them the latest in best practice.”