Management of Diabetes

We are not currently running any Continuing Professional Development modules. Please email cpd@essex.ac.uk if you have any queries.

This module is an innovative multi-professional qualification which has been jointly developed by North East Essex Diabetes Specialist Team and the University of Essex. 

The subjects are specifically aimed to meet the learning needs of those providing clinical services to patients with diabetes in primary care, the community and in the hospital setting.

The module is suitable for general practitioners, practice nurses, community nurses, ward nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals and health care assistants wishing to increase their understanding of diabetes management. The course is suitable for practitioners who are carrying out health checks and annual reviews for people with diabetes or at risk of diabetes.

The course will provide a range of learning opportunities, offering a mixture of taught sessions, shadow sessions within the specialist clinical areas and self-directed learning. Practitioners will build on current skills and knowledge to improve confidence to enable them to deliver safe, effective healthcare.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module you will be able to:

• Recognise and appropriately use diagnostic criteria.
• Demonstrate understanding of national and local demographics of diabetes.
• Apply the principles of self-care and goal setting for a patient with diabetes related complications using structured education and behaviour change methods.
• Carry out the diabetes assessment of 8 Care Processes.
• Confidently, and competently support and effectively treat patients with diabetes utilising, where appropriate, local and specialist services with timely referrals.
• Utilise networks to share knowledge and peer support.
• Interpret data from clinical investigations to monitor glycaemic control, predict risk and plan appropriate interventions.
• Develop person-centred, evidence based, diabetes management plans to optimise glycaemic control.

Our expert staff

Our module facilitators are Diabetes Specialist Nurses with many years of experience, we also draw up on clinical expertise within the fields of the specialism in local areas to discuss their subject area.

Louise Roberts - Nurse Consultant for North East Essex Diabetes Service. Substantial experience of Practice Nursing specialising in diabetes. Postgraduate training with Anglia Ruskin University and Warwick University to initiate and optimise insulin. I have been teaching in the University of Essex for the last 4 years. My ambition is to continue to share this wealth of knowledge to assist the diabetes population and share best practice.

Catherine Walsh - Senior Diabetes Specialist Nurse with over 14 years’ experience in diabetes care including acute diabetes care, General Practice and community specialist diabetes care. Trained and accredited educator for Type 1 DAFNE and Type 2 DESMOND education.

Sheila Smyth - Diabetes Nurse Consultant. I have specialised in diabetes for 18 years. A DAFNE Educator with a passion for staff and service development. My role involves being a visiting fellow with the University of Essex and have developed and established diabetes courses and workshops which have been delivered across Essex which has resulted in my QIC award of Educator of the Year (2018).

What our participants say

"The course helped me establish friendships and peer support from other local PN’s working in diabetes. I was well supported throughout the course and able to develop my confidence and competence in diabetes management."

You may apply for this module if you:

• are a practising professional
• are familiar with, and able to undertake, self-directed study
• bring to the course a wealth of practical experience in diabetes management; and
• are working in an area of healthcare (for at least 15 hours per week) where management of diabetes is being provided for people under your care.

Opportunities to observe and participate in diabetic management practice should be identified prior to commencing the module to ensure the practice assessments are able to be achieved. A trained diabetes practitioner, with relevant training and experience who is willing to act as your practice supervisor must be identified prior to commencing the module. Completion of the practice supervision agreement form is required before entry onto the module is permitted.

You are required to have a person act as your practice supervisor. They must be suitably qualified and experienced in diabetes practice and the mentorship/supervision of colleagues. Although not exhaustive the list below would provide sufficient indication of a person’s suitability for this role:

• currently works in a field of practice that specialises in diabetes, e.g. GP specialist in diabetes, nurse consultant in diabetes, diabetes nurse specialist (who has undergone further training in diabetes practice), Novo/Sanofi diabetes nurse facilitators.
• holds a mentorship / clinical supervision / clinical educators or teaching qualification.

The level and co-requisite module chosen will depend upon your previous academic experience, current role and expectations within your workplace. Please discuss this with the module lead before applying to determine which level and module combination would be most appropriate for you.

Please discuss the above with the module leader if you are unsure that you can meet the above pre-requisites for this course.

Module Outline

This module is completed over a two-term (six month) period. Taught sessions will take place over a period of three months, totalling on average four full days with arranged shadowing experiences totalling a further two days.

Two further days of observed practice are provided (optional) in the final three months of the programme as you prepare for and complete the assessment requirements for this module.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Assessment strategy

Learning and skills development activities are issued to help you achieve the module learning outcomes and national benchmark standards for diabetes management practice.

Achievement of the learning outcomes for this module are assessed by a portfolio. You are assessed in your ability to perform safe and evidence-based diabetes management through written work and observed practice.

Our CPD Funding page has more information on fees for our modules and potential funding sources.

We have guidance on making your application and the forms to download on our how to apply page.