Care coordination/management for adults with Type 1 diabetes

Around 3.2 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes. Of these, approximately 300,000 have Type 1 diabetes.

People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin. They are usually diagnosed when they are children or young adults, and the causes are unknown. They are fully dependent on insulin, either through multiple daily injections or use of an insulin pump. Due to their long exposure to the condition, they are at an increased risk of developing a range of complications. They also need specialist input and management during significant life events, such as emergency admission to hospital, elective surgery, or pregnancy.

Together, these factors mean that managing Type 1 diabetes is complex, for both the patient and their clinicians. It requires a level of specialist knowledge and experience that is usually accrued over many years. Ideally, therefore, support for adults with Type 1 diabetes should be coordinated by a specialist diabetes team.