Hallmark Care Homes publishes guidelines to boost diabetes care for residents

Hallmark Care Homes has held diabetes training sessions for its staff and created guidelines to "take timely action" to improve the lives of residents living with the condition.

With over 25 per cent of care home residents across the UK living with diabetes, new guidance and training has been drawn up by the care home group.

Julie Rayner, care quality governance and compliance director at Hallmark Care Homes and international diabetes expert Professor Alan Sinclair of King’s College have written guidelines to help other care homes across the country.

Julie Rayner said: “We are seeing more and more residents moving into our care homes with diabetes and the support and input we receive from specialist services varies greatly from area to area.

“What followed was a programme of training for our senior carers and registered nurses supporting them to become strong advocates for residents who are living with diabetes, ensuring they can access appropriate screening services and can recognise and take timely action on any of the complications associated with diabetes.”

“Other care providers must experience the same which is why these guidelines are so important as they provide a framework in which best practice can be developed and promoted."

'These recommendations will help healthcare professionals and care teams'

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.

Type 1 diabetes sees the body's immune system attack and destroys the cells that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes causes the body not to produce enough insulin or the body's cells do not react to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1.

In the UK, around 90 per cent of all adults with diabetes have type 2.

Professor Sinclair said: “The new guidelines are essential as care home residents are recognised as being a highly vulnerable group, so these recommendations will help healthcare professionals and care teams to better implement high-quality care.

“The document reflects the views of a fantastic panel of experts who were a joy to work with and is a great opportunity to make a difference in this care sector.

“We are confident these recommendations will improve diabetes care for older adults with the condition.”

The recommendations are now available to all care homes across the country. The document reflects on the importance of effective communication channels between residents, families, care homes and services within the community.

To download the guidelines, click here

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