Diabetes Inpatient Specialist Nurse (DISN) Group 

Chair: Esther Walden, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Administrator: Christine Jones, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Treasurer: Debbie Stanisstreet, Lister Hospital

Other committee members:

• Anne Claydon, Newham University Hospital
  
• Caroline Brooks – Maidstone Hospital
  
• Catherine Holmes, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
  
• Joy Williams - Worthing Hospital
  
• Marie Dougal-Johnson - (Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital)

The DISN UK Group has over 470 members, covering 200 hospitals in England, 10 in Wales, 17 in Scotland and 5 in Northern Ireland.  The Group was set up in February 2004, and we meet twice a year for presentations of ‘hot’ topics and to discuss issues relevant to DSNs whose main role is the management of diabetes inpatients. We are a non-profit making, nurse-based group

Our Philosophy

‘It is our aim to provide a forum for DISNs to share ideas, best practice and offer peer support, striving to effect change and influence practice.  As a group it will provide a confidential, non-judgemental environment to discuss issues affecting inpatient care’

The Group is recognised by all major societies involved in diabetes inpatient care, including NHS Diabetes, Diabetes UK, JBDS, NHS Institute of Improvement and Innovation, ABCD, RCN, RCP

NHS Diabetes host a web-based forum for the DISN UK Group.  Nurses use this to post messages and questions, and also to access information from the forum library.  Available for the DISNs to download are educational tools, documentation pertinent to diabetes inpatient care, presentations and minutes from national meetings as well as hospital protocols that nurses are willing to share.

The DISN group have their own secure forum and document library where registered users can discuss and share thoughts, ideas and documents. To access these DISN secure areas  you must first register with Christine Jones via the contact details below.

For more information, contact Christine Jones 01603 288206  christine.jones@nnuh.nhs.uk