Taking diabetes care to schools

Managing type 1 diabetes can be challenging for anybody with the condition. However, for many school children, living with diabetes can bring a whole new set of challenges. In particular how it makes them feel on a social level and the stigma attached to coming into hospital for routine check-ups.

Hillingdon Hospital has started to tackle these challenges and has moved care for children with diabetes from the hospital into the classroom. This has resulted in a large drop in rates of children missing appointments.

With at least 15,400 children in schools across England with diabetes, the burden of type 1 diabetes in school age (5-16 years) children is undoubtedly high.