Who is the network for?
The Diabetes Psychology Network is for healthcare professionals and researchers working and aspiring to work in the field of diabetes psychological care across the UK. We welcome members from any professional background with an interest in supporting and improving the psychological health of people with diabetes. We are not affiliated with any particular professional body and the network is run entirely voluntarily by our membership.
Why does the network exist?
The network’s purpose is to support and improve the lives of people living with diabetes through the application, dissemination and proliferation of psychological thinking across the healthcare and research system. We are passionate about applying evidence based practice to support people to live well alongside diabetes, and help people with diabetes live the best possible quality of life.
What does the network do?
- For psychological professionals workforce – Knowledge sharing, peer support, mentorship, CPD, guidance & policy, best practice sharing, networking, providing opportunities for collaboration and leadership, advocacy.
- For MDT colleagues – supporting practice, improving health outcomes, collaboration, supporting the diabetes workforce, training, supervision, developing new tools & resources, working towards functionally integrated psychologically informed care systems, consultancy
- For people and families with diabetes – Supporting & promoting psychological wellbeing, supporting & promoting living well across the lifespan & ability range, ethos of co-production with PWD, advocacy for PWD involvement and recognition of unmet psychological needs in PWD
- Systems & services – Working with and influencing key stakeholders and decision makers (PSAD, ACP-UK, BPS, PPI groups, Diabetes UK, ABCD, DSN Forum, Paediatric Psychology Network, Health & Social Care, Government within and across the home nations), innovation, influencing, informing
- Research – innovating, developing new tools, resources and thinking and communicating updates to colleagues in clinical practice
The Network’s Voluntary Committee
- Network Chair & Wales rep – Dr Rose Stewart (BCUHB)
- Research rep – Dr Debbie Cooke (University of Surrey)
- England joint reps – Dr Dorothy Frizelle (Mid Yorks) & Dr Anna Disney
- Scotland rep – Dr Kirsty MacLennan (NHS Grampian)
- Northern Ireland rep – Dr Rebecca Houghton (Antrim)
- Trainee rep – Dr Jacqueline Allan (IoPPN)
Diabetes Psychology Matters 