conference programme

Opening remarks: Colette Marshall, Chief Executive, Diabetes UK (10 minutes)

Opening Plenary Lecture: Professor Kamlesh Khunti, Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine, University of Leicester (45 mins)

We are honoured to welcome Professor Kamlesh Khunti, one of the world’s leading voices in diabetes research, care delivery, and health policy.  Drawing on expertise that spans primary care, population health, and system-wide improvement, Professor Khunti will set the tone for the conference with a broad, forward-looking vision for the future of diabetes care. 

His plenary lecture will examine where inequities in diabetes care persist, and why acknowledging their existence is essential if we are to close the gaps.  He will highlight the collective responsibility of our professional communities to design services that leave no one behind, and to align our efforts with national priorities such as the Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England. 

This opening session will establish the “why and how to overcome” that underpins the next three days, preparing delegates for deeper discussion across the full spectrum of diabetes science, clinical practice, and innovation."

Q&A - 5 minutes

Themes: Overlooked complications, underserved topics

Themes: Healthcare inequity

Specialisms: Community care and Specialist care

The symposium will open with two clinical case scenarios illustrating how unequal diabetes care plays out in real-world practice. There will be strong interaction between panel speakers and active engagement with delegates. The focus will be on solutions, framed around Diabetes UK’s latest strategy.

Themes: Youth, mental health

Specialisms: Specialist care and Primary Care

Integrating diabetes care into mental health settings, including managing high-risk cases.

Themes: Diabetes & pregnancy

Specialisms: Clinical science and Specialist care

To summarise the latest research about optimal postnatal care in women with diabetes.

Breastfeeding interventions in women with diabetes

Sarah Dib, Post-doctoral researcher, University of Leicester

Lifestyle interventions for prevention of future GDM and T2DM

Shakila Thanagaratinam, Professor of Women's Health, University of Liverpool

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Tech, ethics

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Complications, foot, MDT systems of care

Specialisms: Community care, Specialist care, Primary care

Short specialist MDT presentations then interactive panel discussion of challenges in managing infection across the healthcare environment to incorporate primary secondary care and microbiology, diabetes and vascular surgery.

Overview of infection challenge FD UK / Wounds UK consensus document 

Professor Mike Edmonds, Consultant Diabetologist

Diabetes inpatients - challenges in acute care front door emergencies and triage 

Joelle Baynham, Consultant Podiatrist

Panel discussion & Q&A

Theme: Career development

Specialism: Community care

Everyone in the diabetes community benefits if early career researchers and clinicians are able to fulfil their potential. This session will support academics and clinicians to consider barriers and enablers of diabetes careers for diverse groups.

13:25 - 13:45 - Supporting talented people from diverse ethnic groups: how can we do better?

Bernadette Adeyileka-Tracz , CEO, Diabetes Africa

13:45 - 14:05 - Neurodiversity and diabetes careers: how can we do better?

Almuth McDowall, Professor of Organisational Psychology , Birbeck University of London

14:05 - 14:25 - Building a healthy research culture: what are we aiming for?

Liz Simmonds, Head of Research Culture, University of Cambridge

Themes: T1D Tech, inequality

Themes: Research & discovery

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Neurodiversity, social care

Themes: Narrative, person-centred

Themes: Policy, quality improvement

Themes: Complications, obesity, weight management, metabolic health

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Inequalities, community engagement, service design, primary care

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Clinical care & diagnosis, health inequalities, psychosocial impact

Specialisms: Clinical science, Community care, Specialist care, Paediatrics and Primary care

This workshop will cover the practical aspects of diabetes classification with an overview of the EASD/ADA consensus pathway for classification. It will showcase data from a novel prospective study of diabetes classification and include case based discussion on unusual presentations across different age groups, ethnicities and aetiologies.

5:25 - 5:30 - Chair's introduction

5:30 - 5:45 - Case study discussion highlighting the results of the recent Exeter prospective study on getting the diagnosis correct from the start.

Professor Angus Jones, University of Exeter and Honorary Consultant Physician, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

5:45 - 6:00 - Case studies to highlight the impact of ethnicity on classification

Dr Shivani Misra, Consultant Physician, Associate Professor and Head of Section Metabolic Medicine Imperial College London

6:00 - 6:15 - The EASD-ADA Management of type 1 diabetes in adults consensus report: differentiating type 1 diabetes from type 2 diabetes or monogenic diabetes

Richard Holt, Professor in diabetes and endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton

Themes: T1D immunology & immunotheraphy, population & health economics

Themes: Life-course, women's health

Specialisms: Specialist care and Primary care

The session will address diabetes and menopause, highlighting symptom management, cardiovascular risk, hormone therapy, and sex-specific differences in diagnosis and care.

9:35 - 9:55 - Diabetes and menopause: symptoms, cardiovascular risk, hormone therapy, and related challenges.

Dr Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun, UK based portfolio GP (Consultant in Family Medicine)

9:55 - 10:10 - Sex-specific differences in diagnosis

Louise Cooper, PhD candidate, MRC Epidemology Unit, University of Cambridge

10:10 - 10:25 - Sex and gender- specific differences

Dr Marina Politis, Academic Foundation Doctor, Newcastle

10:25 - 10:35 - Q&A

Chairs: Dr Kriss Owen, GP Partner and GP Clinical Lead for Diabetes, Derby and Derbyshire and Dr Danielle Adewusi, Medical Doctor, Founder of Scrub The Stigma

Themes: Complications, health inequality

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Overlooked complications, health inequality, women's health

INTERACTIVE

Specialisms: Community care and Primary care

Theme: Career development

Themes: Young adults, paediatrics, health inequality

Specialisms: Basic science, clinical science and specialist care

Dedicated to young-onset type 2 diabetes in the context of health and research inequity.

Speaker: Dr Shivani Misra, Consultant Physician, Associate Professor and Head of Section Metabolic Medicine, Imperial College London

Themes: Basic science, clinical science

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Psychosocial, body image, complications

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Health policy & commissioning, health inequality, cross-disciplinary service integration

Themes: Complications, renal

Specialisms: Specialist care

This session will cover:

1. What is the state of the art in early detection of diabetic kidney disease?

2. How can we prevent progression to end stage kidney disease and reduce risk of cardiovascular complications?

3. Does technology help in the management of people with diabetes on renal replacement therapy?

15:00 - 15:25 - Early detection and management of DKD: state of the art

Dr Janaka Karalliedde, Consultant in Diabetes, Guys and St Thomas's Hospital, London

15:25 - 15:50 - Diabetes and renal replacement therapy: can technology help?

Dr Parizad Avari, Consultant Diabetologist, Imperial College Healthcare Trust, London

15:50 - 16:00 - Q&A

Chair: Tahseen A. Chowdhury, Consultant in Diabetes, The Royal London Hospital

Themes: Policy, systems, green NHS

Themes: Social determinants, inequalities

Themes: Research strategy 

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Person-centred, underserved topics

Specialisms: Specialist care and Primary care

The session will explore sexual health in men and women, addressing common challenges such as sexual dysfunction, vaginismus, and dyspareunia, alongside the impact of diabetes. It will also consider sexual satisfaction, type 1 diabetes, and the influence of cultural barriers on care and outcomes.

15:00 - 15:20 - Male sexual health

Dr Steve Jackson, Consultant Physician and Chief Medical Information Officer, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust & Professor Samuel Seidu, Professor in Primary Care Diabetes and Cardio-Metabolic Medicine, Leicester Diabetes Centre & GP Partner

15:20 - 15:40 - Women's health

Dr Danielle Adewusi, Medical Doctor, Founder of Scrub The Stigma

15:40 - 15:50 - Sexual function in women with T1D

Rahab Hashim, Advanced Diabetes Nurse Practitioner and Diabetes Researcher 

15:50 - 16:00 - Q&A

Chair: Dr Jolyon Dales, Consultant Diabetologist, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust & Reena Patel, DSN, Leicester

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Education, health inequalities

Themes: Diabetes & pregnancy

Specialisms: Clinical science and Specialist care

In line with a Diabetes UK priority, to raise awareness of missed diagnoses, and the potential effects upon stillbirth and other complications.

17:00 - 17:15 - What is the best strategy for diagnosis of GDM?

Camile Powe, Endocrinologist

17:15 - 17:30 - How many cases of gestational diabetes are we missing?

Claire Meek, Professor of Chemical Pathology and Diabetes in pregnancy, University of Leicester

17:30 - 17:45 - How does missed diagnosis affect rates of stillbirth and LGA?

Chair: Claire Meek, Professor of Chemical Pathology and Diabetes in pregnancy, University of Leicester

Themes: Obesity in diabetes, basic science & research translation

Specialism: Basic science

The session will cover the most recent new evidence on how the brain controls food intake and energy expenditure.

Speakers:

Talk 1 - Sensory regulation of metabolism

Sophie Steculorum, Prinicpal Invesitgator, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research

Talk 2 - Professor Lora Heisler, Professor of Human Nutrition, University of Aberdeen

Talk 3 - Professor Ana Domingos, Professor of Neuroscience, University of Oxford

Chair: TBC

Themes: Young adults, type 1 diabetes

INTERACTIVE

Themes: Women's health, psychosocial care

Specialisms: Clinical science and Specialist care

To summarise key challenges faced by women with T2D and to update attendees on the latest developments in these fields.

17:00 - 17:15 - Pubertal timing and risk of type 2 diabetes

Ken Ong, Professor of Paediatric Epidemiology, University of Cambridge

17:15 - 17:30 - Fertility challenges in women with diabetes

Caroline Ovadia, Clinical Senior Lecturer, Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh

17:30 - 17:45 - Navigating cultural barriers to contraceptive use

Hina Jawaid

Chair: Megan Heague, SFP Doctor, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Bernadette Adeyileka-Tracz, CEO, Diabetes Africa

Specialisms: Community care, Specialist care, Primary care

Symposium with panel to highlight foot care inequalities in hardest hit communities.

9:00 - 9:10 - Outcomes of root cause analysis in unexpected major amputation in Dorset 

Joelle Baynham, Consultant Podiatrist - Diabetes Inpatients and NMP Lead, Bournemouth

9:10 - 9:20 - Social inequality in diabetes

Professor Brian Kennon, Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology, Glasgow

9:20 - 9:30 - Inequality paper and rural coastal communities

Dr Aoife Slattery, Inequality and Engagement Lead, DUK

9:30 - 9:40 - ZAPP amputation strategy

Jayne Robbie, Specialist Podiatrist, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust

9:40 - 10:00 - Panel discussion & Q&A

INTERACTIVE

INTERACTIVE

Specialisms: Community care, Specialist care, Paediatrics, Primary care

This interactive workshop will focus on:

• Avoiding stigmatising language during consultations

• The importance of using appropriate language when delivering a diabetes diagnosis

• Supporting self-management

• Highlight the education through your Type 1 Hero comic books and VR.

Speakers:

- Dr Mayank Patel, Consultant Diabetologist, University Hospital Southampton

- Professor Partha Kar, Type 1 Diabetes & Technology Lead, NHS England, Consultant, Diabetes & Endocrinology & General Medicine, Portsmouth

Chairs: Nicola Milne, Practice Nurse, Northenden Group Practice and Reena Patel, Practice Nurse, Leicester

The important topic of caring for older adults with type 1 diabetes is strikingly absent from current NICE guidance and most national frameworks. This symposium will bring together three speakers with extensive clinical and research experience in this area. This issue will be highlighted by an older adult with type 1 diabetes who will share their experience. If you work in primary, secondary or community care, and believe that nobody with diabetes should be left behind, then this symposium will inspire and equip you to ensure the older adults you work with can age well with type 1 diabetes.

13:25 - 13:29 - Chair's opening remarks

13:29 - 13:41 - The intricate relationship between type 1 diabetes, ageing and frailty  

Dr Giuseppe Maltese, Consultant in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Diabetic Medicine, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals 

13:41 - 13:53 - Frailty and glucose variability in type 1 diabetes

Dr Jonathan Golding, Specialist registrar, University Hospitals Sussex 

13:53 - 14:05 - Integration of secondary care and community specialist services in the management of diabetes technology in frail people with type 1 diabetes 

Katie Hards, Diabetes specialist nurse - clinical lead adults service, Oxford 

14:05 - 14:15 - No Tech to High Tech, Ageing with Type 1 Diabetes

Iain M Lumsden, Lived experience with type 1 diabetes and using technology 

14:15 - 14:25 - Q&A

Chairs: Dr Giuseppe Maltese, Consultant in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Diabetic Medicine, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Dr Kriss Owen GP partner at Littlewick Medical Centre, Clinical lead for diabetes Derby and Derbyshire ICB

Specialism: Community care

The D-stress study is a 5-yr programme to develop and evaluate a care pathway for the assessment, prevention and management of diabetes distress in adults with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Realist reviews to develop theories (or logic models) for how the D-stress care pathway may work underpinned the development of eight Good Practice Statements for the Assessment of Diabetes Distress in the EASD Clinical Guidelines on this topic 2026. D-stress pre-existed the development of the Guideline Clinical Recommendations for adults with type 1 diabetes but nevertheless embodies them. The presentation will introduce the conference to the 2026 EASD Clinical Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of Diabetes Distress and how the D-stress study will deliver a care pathway for delivering them in the UK.

13:25 - 13:30 - Chair's opening remarks

Richard Holt, Professor in Diabetes & Endocrinology, University of Southampton 

13:30 - 13:45 - What Diabetes Distress means to someone living with it: a perspective from type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes

Michelle Law, Person living with type 1 diabetes and Honorary Professor, Exeter University & Mark Tiller, Person living with type 2 diabetes

13:45 - 13:55 - Introduction to the D-stress care pathway and research programme

Jackie Sturt, Professor of Behavioural Medicine in Nursing, King's College London

13:55 - 14:02 - EASD Guideline Good practice statements for the assessment of DD

Richard Holt, Professor in Diabetes & Endocrinology, University of Southampton 

14:02 - 14:10 - How might comprehensive assessment of Diabetes Distress work and does it work differently for adults with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes?

Ruth Harris, Professor of Healthcare for Older Adults, King's College London

14:10 - 14:18 - EASD Clinical recommendations for the management of Diabetes Distress in type 1 diabetes

Richard Holt, Professor in Diabetes & Endocrinology, University of Southampton 

14:18 - 14:25 - How might a group, online, psychosocial intervention reduce elevated DD in type 2 diabetes?

Megan Peck, Research Assistant and D-stree doctoral candidate, King's College London