A SENIOR pharmacist committed to caring for people living with diabetes in the region has been selected as one of 20 national champions fighting to improve services.

Hannah Beba, from Darlington, will use the role to help transform care for diabetics in County Durham and Darlington with some currently struggling to access vital support needed to manage their condition well.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications, including blindness, amputation, kidney failure and stroke if not monitored constantly.

Ms Beba, who is a pharmacist for diabetes at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, was chosen to become a Diabetes UK Clinical Champion for her commitment to excellence in diabetes care.

She will join a two-year leadership development programme, supported by Diabetes UK, helping her to identify areas in need of improvement and drive changes to the diabetes services that Darlington and County Durham residents receive.

Ms Beba said: “I’m excited to work with my peers to build better links between the various sectors of pharmacy, harnessing the resource available to deliver better diabetes care.

"Pharmacists and pharmacy teams are a relatively untapped resource and I am keen to shine a light on the exceptional care that is being delivered and develop interest and competence.”

The Darlington pharmacist is one of 20 healthcare professionals, including consultants, nurses, GPs, dietitians, podiatrists, and psychologists to be appointed as a Clinical Champion this year.

Amy Rylance, Diabetes UK head of healthcare engagement, said: “Diabetes is the most devastating and fastest-growing health crisis of our time, and now affects 4.6 million people across the UK.

"That’s more than cancer and dementia combined and more than any other serious health condition in the UK.

“Investing in diabetes care in this way, will help reduce serious complications, and in turn reduce the devastating personal and economic costs that can result from poor management of the condition.

“Champions like Hannah play a critical role in improving the services people with diabetes receive, and contribute massively to our vision of creating a world where diabetes can do no harm."