The quality of care for children and young people with diabetes provided at Sherwood Forest Hospitals is at an all-time high according to the results of an audit published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

The National Diabetes Paediatric Audit 2013/14 obtained results of 26,598 children and young people receiving care within England and Wales. The Trust’s results were rated well above the national average.

This is great news for the health of 150 children and young people in the local area who are currently receiving care from the Trust’s Children and Young People’s Paediatric Diabetes Team.

Excellent control of diabetes is indicated by achieving an HbA1c (a measure of diabetes control) target of less than 58mmol/mol (unit measurements). An HbA1c above 80 mmol/mol would indicate poor control, and if allowed to persist would put the individual at a significant risk of long term damage to their health.

Diabetes Specialist Nurse Helen Marsh said: “The Trust’s results are a third higher than the national average – 25.5% of children and young people achieved a target HbA1c of less than 58mmol/mol compared to the national average of 18.4%. This indicates that we have more children and young people at the desired target level, which is an achievement that we are very proud of.”

The recommended completion of seven key care processes that children and young people should receive within their care package also compared favourably to the national average – the Trust completed almost one quarter more care processes than the national average.

Helen added: “We are committed to continuing and progress our service for all children and young people within our care. We are passionate about improving outcomes to help them live with diabetes without complications.”

The service has also been further enhanced with the appointment of new Consultant Paediatrician Dr Sanjay Rathi. With expertise in endocrinology and general paediatrics, Dr Rathi will contribute to the excellent care the team provide for local children with diabetes.