Novo Nordisk and Diabetes UK expand Clinical Champions scheme

Novo Nordisk has announced an expansion of the Clinical Champions programme it launched in collaboration with Diabetes UK last year.

A total of 20 Diabetes UK Clinical Champions have been appointed this year and will be supported and empowered in their workplace to transform care for people living with diabetes.

They will occupy these roles for two years and will receive the support and personal and professional development to help them drive change in their areas of expertise, as well as acting as advocates for people with diabetes.

The first group of ten Clinical Champions was recruited last year, with specialist consultants, GPs and diabetes specialist nurses among those selected.

An example of their work is the introduction of a simple medication algorithm across four clinical commissioning groups in Birmingham, which helps to ensure patients have equal access to treatment regardless of where they live.

Klaus Henning Jensen, Novo Nordisk's head of clinical, medical and regulatory affairs for the UK and Ireland, said: "We hope that through the dedicated training and additional support they receive, this new cadre of Clinical Champions will be able to make real and impactful changes to the lives of those living with diabetes across the UK."