About our Network
The East of England Children and Young Peoples (CYP) Diabetes Network serves a population of approximately 3000 children and young people with diabetes across the East of England (covering 17 hospitals across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk) The network was formed to promote a standardised approach to healthcare for CYP with diabetes so that the care, education and support that you receive is of the same high standard at all hospitals across the network. We also to work to improve outcomes for CYP with diabetes, with a major focus currently being the reduction of Hba1c in line with the new NICE guidelines for the management of type 1 diabetes in childhood.
The network believes that supporting children and young people with diabetes is a key part of helping to achieve better clinical outcomes. Therefore we offer a programme of events for patients and their families every year that includes camps, the East of England Diabetes Games, parent support forum meetings, activity days and education days on topics such as CGM and pump therapy, These events are always very popular and sell out very quickly.
They are open to all patients and families who either live, or receive their diabetes care in the East of England network area.
The aim of our network camps is to bring children and young people with diabetes together so that they can form friendships with others of the same age with diabetes, try new activities and become empowered, confident and independent in the management of their diabetes. Empowerment, confidence and independence are encouraged through practical carbohydrate counting sessions, small group work, and one to one support from trained health care professionals. The activity days have similar aims to the camps but over a shorter duration. None of these events would be possible without the support from multiple volunteers including parents, young adults with diabetes and health care professionals from across the network to ensure the safety and welfare of the participants.
If you would like to find out more about what we do or to get involved with any of our network events please contact our network manager Kate Wilson