Diabetes Awareness: advancing equitable care through nurse-led innovation

Nurses are leading practical, evidence-based solutions that strengthen prevention, improve access to services and support better long-term condition management.

Strengthening culturally competent diabetes care

Burdett-funded research is also helping to reduce inequalities in diabetes care across diverse communities. A project led by Abertay University on cultural competence in Type 2 diabetes nursing has focused on improving engagement with Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic (BAME) groups.

The work has:

• identified barriers to effective engagement in diabetes management
• supported service users to shape solutions
• developed guidance to strengthen nurse-led practice and training

This work is contributing to more culturally responsive care, helping nurses build trust, improve patient engagement, and support better long-term outcomes.

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Integrating oral health into diabetes prevention

A Burdett-funded project delivered by C3 Collaborating for Health is highlighting the critical but often overlooked link between oral health and type 2 diabetes.

The project focused on increasing nurses’ understanding of the bi-directional relationship between diabetes and oral health, recognising that poor oral health can contribute to worsening diabetes outcomes, while diabetes can increase the risk of oral disease.

Through a ten-month programme, the project:

• trained and engaged nurses through eight expert-led webinars and learning sessions, delivered in collaboration with the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation and Learn With Nurses
• reached 444 webinar attendees, with 212 participants providing feedback
• brought together clinical experts, nurse leaders and organisations to develop practical solutions
• produced recommendations to support integration of oral health into routine nursing practice, diabetes care and prevention

The work also highlighted the importance of:

• building nurses’ confidence to discuss and assess oral health
• keeping oral health conversations simple, practical and non-judgemental
• incorporating oral health checks into routine diabetes care
• embedding oral health education across nursing training and professional development
• ensuring nurses know where to signpost people living with type 2 diabetes for trusted information and support

By equipping nurses with the knowledge and tools to address oral health, the project demonstrates how relatively simple interventions can support prevention-focused care, strengthen routine diabetes conversations, and help reduce the risk of long-term complications associated with diabetes.

Find out more

We encourage you to explore the resources and learning generated through these projects and to consider how they can be applied in practice.

• Explore project insights and resources
• Share learning with your teams and networks
• Connect with project leads to support wider impact

Together, we can improve diabetes care and outcomes for communities across the UK and globally.