About the campaign
This is the third year of the Diabetes is Serious Campaign, which aims to highlight the state of diabetes treatment and care following the pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic and recent winter.
This is the third year of the Diabetes is Serious Campaign, which aims to highlight the state of diabetes treatment and care following the pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic and recent winter.
Despite the efforts of the NHS, many people living with diabetes continue to miss out on vital health checks, putting them at risk of serious complications.
Troublingly, we are now seeing excess mortality related to diabetes at unprecedented high levels compared with pre-pandemic, according to OHID data. There is evidence to indicate that this increase in excess morality and the current pressures in urgent and emergency care are, in part, due to the disruption to routine care.
The aim of the campaign
The aim of the campaign this year was to support its objectives and gather data on people's experiences in 2022. We conducted another survey, which recently closed with over 13,000 responses collected.
The aim of the campaign this year was to support its objectives and gather data on people's experiences in 2022. We conducted another survey, which recently closed with over 13,000 responses collected.
Alongside other forms of data, we presented the survey results at the reception. In addition, we sought to enhance the survey findings by involving volunteers, including members of the public living with and affected by diabetes, as well as healthcare professionals. This allowed parliamentarians to gain a broader perspective on the challenges in diabetes care and treatment.
The event aimed to engage parliamentarians with the results of the 2023 survey and promote the Diabetes is Serious campaign, showcasing the extent of the backlog in diabetes appointments and the inequalities within diabetes care and outcomes.
Furthermore, the event served as an opportunity to emphasize the status of diabetes care and treatment and garner political support for the Diabetes is Serious campaign. We used the occasion to promote several suggested actions for parliamentarians to engage with their local Integrated Care Systems.
Online and printed materials for the event
Parliamentary Reception
Each Parliamentarian and other key stakeholders who entered the event were taken by a Diabetes UK member of staff to the area of the region/nation where their constituency was based.
Each Parliamentarian and other key stakeholders who entered the event were taken by a Diabetes UK member of staff to the area of the region/nation where their constituency was based.
At the entrance, there were a number of "signposts" with key top-line messaging, such as "one third of respondents waited a year to receive all their checks."
Within the room itself, there were five tables or pillar displays, which displayed the results from a particular geographic area. DUK staff and volunteers were each around each table/pillar display, and there were a number of creative assets highlighting stats, quotes, and stories from each area for the parliamentarians to view.
During conversations with DUK members of staff and volunteers, the parliamentarians were encouraged to raise awareness of the state of diabetes care and treatment through one of the outputs.
Each Parliamentarian was then given a briefing on the results of the survey for them to take with them once they left the event and were taken to the photography area for them to have a picture taken carrying a pledge card.
Thanks for taking the time to review my project! I would love to hear your thoughts and welcome any questions you may have. If you feel like discussing it further, feel free to reach out to me.
