The challenge

People with diabetes account for 15 per cent of inpatients in England – and over one third experience at least one medication error while in hospital. Patients with diabetes and are admitted for routine surgery stay on average 2.6 days longer than those without.  It is estimated that prolonged stays in hospital among people with diabetes result in about 80,000 bed days per year.

How does the inpatient network support you?

We are supporting better inpatient care and reduced length of stay and preparation for discharge, with a focus on health economic analysis to highlight excess spend on diabetes inpatient care.

Building on the pioneering National Diabetes Inpatient Audits of 2009 and 2010, NHS Diabetes is continuing to drive up quality in diabetes hospital care by launching a new inpatient network. The virtual network was launched in September 2011. The network will provide an online forum to bring together health professionals with a specific interest in inpatient care for people with diabetes. The network will allow two-way sharing of good practice, news and developments in this area.

Ursula Anderson, NHS Diabetes Programme Manager Network Lead will be working with Dr Gerry Rayman as the National Clinical Network Lead, supported by Information Specialist Dr Bob Young and Nurse Consultant June James.

Network objectives

The overarching aim of the network is to reduce variation and improve the quality of life and outcomes for people with diabetes. Specifically, it aims to:

• Reduce medication errors in hospitals
• Raise inpatient diabetes care up the national policy agenda
• Present an economic argument for investing in specialist diabetes care in hospitals
• Develop core competencies for non-specialist health care professional

How to get involved

We would like to know more about what you think the network should offer. To have your say complete our online survey. 

If you would like more information contact our project lead Ursula Anderson: 
ursula.anderson@diabetes.nhs.uk.

• Inpatient Network Flyer (PDF 574KB)
• Find out more about our inpatient and emergency work