“The time to be technology laggards is over,” says Dr Partha Kar, DPC2018 keynote speaker and National Associate Clinical Director Diabetes, NHS England, in his recent blog post addressing some concerns – and presenting some “factual corrections” – around nationwide access to the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system. He concludes by saying “further use of technology, increased self-management, safety in hospitals are all coming fast and sharp” and that the pressure for Libre access is not a one-off, but a “test-run at best”.
Dr Partha Kar
It is, therefore, essential for healthcare professionals to be well informed and educated on the latest tech developments for diabetes care.
“Technological advances are helping to ease the pain and hassle of managing their condition for people with diabetes, while having the potential to improve their outcomes,” says Toby Baker, Event Director, Diabetes Professional Care. “It is therefore increasingly vital that healthcare professionals have knowledge and understanding of current and upcoming health tech, to help them provide optimum care and support to their patients with diabetes.”
The FreeStyle Libre, which was made available on the NHS last November, comprises a tiny glucose sensor worn on the back of the arm; it can be scanned with a handheld reader, allowing people with diabetes to track their blood glucose levels without the need for finger-prick blood tests. The Libre has been called a “game changing technology” since it gives people with diabetes much greater control over their condition, reducing the likelihood of serious complications.
Many healthcare professionals were able to see the system for the first time at last year’s Diabetes Professional Care show – and visitors will have the opportunity to see it again at DPC2018, where its manufacturer and platinum sponsor Abbott will be on hand to demonstrate the system and answer your questions about its ground-breaking technology.
Abbott is one of several exhibitors showcasing its tech solutions at DPC2018. Other leading companies presenting their diabetes health tech products and services include:
• GlucoRx, DPC2018 gold sponsor whose products include Nexus and HCT glucometers, and FinePoint insulin pen needles
• Roche Diabetes Care, DPC2018 gold sponsor with its Accu-Chek range of diabetes care systems
• Nipro Diagnostics, with its TRUE portfolio of blood glucose monitoring systems
A number of leading experts in digital education and behavioural change will also present their solutions at DPC2018, including OurPath, X-PERT Health and Changing Health.
DPC2018 silver sponsor Changing Health is helping to transform diabetes self-management with its evidence-based behaviour change programme for people with type 2 diabetes, which has so far been adopted by 16 NHS organisations across the UK.
Talking recently about its plans for DPC2018, Changing Health said: “We’ll be presenting new data to inspire healthcare providers and commissioners. It will show how personalised support for behaviour change can be highly effective in diabetes prevention and management, helping patients lose weight, lower their HbA1c and significantly reduce their risk of complications.”
Changing Health CEO and Vice President, John Grumitt will deliver a session at the DPC2018 conference entitled ‘How to deliver patient self-management and behaviour change at scale – 2017-18 outcome data with key lessons for the NHS’.
The DPC2018 conference will also include a stream dedicated to Diabetes Technologies, with sessions including:
- Flash glucose monitoring – from clinical practice to real world practice. Dr Ramzi Ajjan, Associate Professor & Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Choosing the right one – the technology toolkit. Lesley Jordan and Melissa Holloway, INPUT Patient Advocacy
- Immersive learning: virtual, augmented and mixed reality. Arjun Panesar, CEO, Diabetes.co.uk
Also returning to DPC2018, The Edge innovation zone will feature the latest cutting-edge diabetes care solutions from healthcare and tech start-ups. This year’s exhibitors include Thermetrix, with its unique device for early detection of foot and leg problems resulting from diabetes.
“DPC has established a reputation for showcasing innovation and leading-edge technology for people with diabetes, and DPC2018 promises to be our most exciting year yet,” says Baker.
“The show will provide healthcare professionals with a unique forum for discovering and learning about a gamut of tech products and services, from glucose monitoring and insulin pumps to digital education and behavioural change programmes. They can see these solutions first hand on the exhibition floor, and also learn about their real-world application at our conference and workshop sessions.”
For further information on sessions in the Diabetes Technologies stream and the rest of the DPC2018 conference programme, visit the website here.