Prime Minister recognises two healthcare professionals for diabetes work
Prime Minister Theresa May has recognised two healthcare professionals at Solent NHS Trust for their work around diabetes.
Beth Kelly, a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, and Sharon Steele, At Risk Foot Lead in the Podiatry Service, were invited to 10 Downing Street on Monday 24 June 2019 by the Prime Minister.
They were among just a select few individuals who were invited after going above and beyond their daily role in diabetes care, treatment and prevention.
Beth was invited after she won a national award in 2018 as part of the Diabetes Specialist Nurse Forum, an online community that supports specialist diabetes nurses around the country. The Forum was also named as finalists at last month’s prestigious Heath Services Journal Value Awards for the same project.
Sharon, who works within the diabetes multi-disciplinary team at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, received the invite in recognition of her clinical and service development work for people experiencing foot compilations resulting from diabetes.
Beth said: “I was really excited to go to Downing Street and meet Theresa May. It was great to be amongst esteemed colleagues whose careers I have watched with great enthusiasm and whose work I have admired for years.
“I know that the Prime Minister is passionate about diabetes care and understands the importance of treating the condition – I felt privileged to be given the opportunity to discuss this with her in person.”
Sharon said: “I feel honoured to have been able to represent the professionals, especially the podiatrists who work passionately to help improve foot health for people with diabetes. There is still so much to do to improve care and outcomes given the rate of diabetes-related lower limb amputations and the national decline in podiatry workforce, whose role is so pivotal.”
Congratulating Beth and Sharon, Solent NHS Trust’s Chief Executive, Sue Harriman, said: “They both fully deserve recognition for their excellent work in the area of diabetes, and to be invited to visit Number 10 by the Prime Minister is a great honour and really underlines their hard work and dedication to their roles.”