A DORSET project to support patients with Type 1 diabetes and disordered eating has been awarded the presitigious 'Innovation Award' at the 2024 Diabetes Nursing Awards.

Led by specialist diabetes staff from University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) and Dorset HealthCare (DHC), the ComPASSION project was commended for demonstrating "outstanding innovation and excellence in diabetes care".

Recognised by the judges for their pioneering approach, the ComPASSION team devised and revised protocols during emergency admission for patients with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating (T1DE), to their local eating disorders unit.

Helen Partridge, consultant in diabetes at UHD, said: "The Bournemouth diabetes team and Dorset eating disorders service were one of the first teams to develop a joint physical and mental health model to support people living with T1DE.

"We know managing type 1 diabetes is incredibly challenging at the best of times, but when you combine this with disordered thoughts, it requires very specialist nursing teams to support patients.

"This award recognises the compassion, dedication and willingness to learn new skills by both the diabetes nurses and mental health nurses from DHC to work collaboratively, supporting people who require hospital admission at a time when they are very sick and not able to manage their diabetes independently."

Helen Patridge

Nicola Stacey and Jacqui Ryder, UHD diabetes nurse specialists, added: "Having our work acknowledged is a testament to the time and effort put into this project for patients living with this destructive and dangerous disease. It is an honour to be part of this nursing team and we are so proud to be recognised for our contribution to type 1 diabetes and disordered eating.

"Although this award is in the field of diabetes nursing, we are accepting it on behalf of the whole ComPASSION team who have worked tirelessly to demonstrate that collaborative working really does improve the lives of people with T1DE." 

The team.