Well, what a year in my new role as Professional Lead here at the Royal College of Nursing, and what a pleasure it has been to work alongside the RCN Diabetes Forum chair, deputy chair and steering committee in an area I extremely passionate about.
When I came into this role, I extremely pleased to see that I would be working with the Diabetes Forum. For those of you who do not know me, I am still a primary care advanced nurse practitioner specialising in diabetes, and a co-clinical lead for diabetes in my local ICB - showing my passion for this condition. I was overwhelmed with the experience of the forum committee, from both primary and secondary care backgrounds, and how passionate they were to support both members and patients. One particular area the forum wanted to focus on this year was the issue of stigma, and through much campaigning and liasing with external organisations, very happy to say that both the forum and the RCN organisation itself has signed up to the global 'End Diabetes Stigma' campaign. This was taken to Congress where our CEO and General Secretary, Nicola Ranger, physically signed the stigma campaign banner herself to mark RCN involvement - what a triumph!
The list goes on however for the remarkable achievements of the forum, national and international representation at conferences and events, successful updating of the RCN 'Diabetes Essential' resource to include continous glucose monitoring, undertaking a collaborative webinar series with EDEN on CGM and HCL for all members with over 200 attendees and finalising a neurodiversity resource that not just support members wanting to know more about diabetes and neurodiversity, but also other clinical areas as well. The committee really have done some amazing work this year to amplify the voice of nursing in diabetes care, and I am very honoured to be working with them to support our members. I was particularly pleased that they were willing to lend support for my passion on supporting nurses who live with long-term conditions, and they were instrumental in reviewing the RCN new health ability passport that focus on long-term conditions. Another key achievement in how RCN forums make such a difference to both patients and nurses from all areas of clinical practice.
I'd like to take this time to thank each and every one of our committee members for their hard work, and as we see some familiar faces leave us due to terms ending, I am pleased to announce that two new committee members will be joining the RCN diabetes forum as of Jan 2025. It will be great to have different perspectives, including that from students with a new student committee member joining. Diabetes touches each and everyone of us, whether personally or professionally, and no matter what area of clinical practice you are working in - nursing staff are essential to safe and effective care for this patient cohort. Next year will see the committee deliver the RCN Diabetes Conference at HQ, with a range of speakers and topic relevant for all levels of nursing and continue to work with key organisations to build awareness, support and educational resources for our members.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of our committee members, particularly our Chair and Deputy Chair, for all their hard work during the year. I am really excited to see where the new year takes the forum, and want to wish you all a restful festive period.
When I came into this role, I extremely pleased to see that I would be working with the Diabetes Forum. For those of you who do not know me, I am still a primary care advanced nurse practitioner specialising in diabetes, and a co-clinical lead for diabetes in my local ICB - showing my passion for this condition. I was overwhelmed with the experience of the forum committee, from both primary and secondary care backgrounds, and how passionate they were to support both members and patients. One particular area the forum wanted to focus on this year was the issue of stigma, and through much campaigning and liasing with external organisations, very happy to say that both the forum and the RCN organisation itself has signed up to the global 'End Diabetes Stigma' campaign. This was taken to Congress where our CEO and General Secretary, Nicola Ranger, physically signed the stigma campaign banner herself to mark RCN involvement - what a triumph!
The list goes on however for the remarkable achievements of the forum, national and international representation at conferences and events, successful updating of the RCN 'Diabetes Essential' resource to include continous glucose monitoring, undertaking a collaborative webinar series with EDEN on CGM and HCL for all members with over 200 attendees and finalising a neurodiversity resource that not just support members wanting to know more about diabetes and neurodiversity, but also other clinical areas as well. The committee really have done some amazing work this year to amplify the voice of nursing in diabetes care, and I am very honoured to be working with them to support our members. I was particularly pleased that they were willing to lend support for my passion on supporting nurses who live with long-term conditions, and they were instrumental in reviewing the RCN new health ability passport that focus on long-term conditions. Another key achievement in how RCN forums make such a difference to both patients and nurses from all areas of clinical practice.
I'd like to take this time to thank each and every one of our committee members for their hard work, and as we see some familiar faces leave us due to terms ending, I am pleased to announce that two new committee members will be joining the RCN diabetes forum as of Jan 2025. It will be great to have different perspectives, including that from students with a new student committee member joining. Diabetes touches each and everyone of us, whether personally or professionally, and no matter what area of clinical practice you are working in - nursing staff are essential to safe and effective care for this patient cohort. Next year will see the committee deliver the RCN Diabetes Conference at HQ, with a range of speakers and topic relevant for all levels of nursing and continue to work with key organisations to build awareness, support and educational resources for our members.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of our committee members, particularly our Chair and Deputy Chair, for all their hard work during the year. I am really excited to see where the new year takes the forum, and want to wish you all a restful festive period.
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