“Life-changing” diabetes clinic transforms cardiac surgical care
A pioneering diabetes clinic at St Bartholomew's Hospital has secured national recognition with an HSJ Awards shortlist for helping cardiac surgery patients manage their health before surgery.
The pathway brings together cardiothoracic surgery, diabetes and peri-operative medicine teams to help cardiac surgery patients optimise their diabetes before surgery. Using FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring technology, specialist nurse support and personalised advice, patients can monitor their glucose levels remotely, reducing the need for hospital visits and lowering the risk of complications, longer stays and slower recovery post-surgery.
Since launching, 60 patients have been supported to manage their diabetes. More than 90 per cent achieved the agreed safe threshold for surgery following optimisation and the average length of stay fell from 14 to seven days.
Patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with an average satisfaction score of 9.25 out of 10. One patient described the service as “life-changing”, while another said the continuous glucose monitoring technology provided a “window into my body” and spoke about how it “totally transformed” their health. Several patients reported long-lasting behavioural change, including dietary change and a better understanding of glucose control.
Alongside improving outcomes for patients, the pathway is delivering operational benefits for the wider NHS. The team estimates the service has already saved more than 300 bed days and generated approximately £240,000 in savings during its pilot phase, while increasing capacity for other patients awaiting surgery.
The initiative aligns directly with the NHS drive toward digitally enabled, prevention-focused care: using remote monitoring to increase access, empowering patients with their own data, reducing unnecessary face-to-face appointments, and integrating optimisation into peri-operative services.
Following the pilot's success, the service has secured permanent funding and is now embedded within routine pre-operative cardiac surgery care. The model has already attracted interest from other NHS organisations and specialties looking to adopt a similar approach.
William Crawford, cardiothoracic registrar ST3, St Bartholomew's Hospital, said:
“The overall aim of this project is to empower and educate patients, so they can improve their diabetes and post-operative outcomes. Patients have reported that this pathway has completely revolutionised how they approach their diabetes, which will have benefits lasting well into the future.
“This has been a collaborative project between cardiothoracic, diabetes and anaesthetic teams, and we are honoured to be shortlisted for this award.”
The HSJ Award shortlist recognises the team’s commitment to delivering innovative, digitally enabled care that improves patient experience, enhances clinical outcomes and supports more sustainable NHS services.
Well done to everyone involved! Keep an eye out for our other finalists spotlighted as part of our HSJ Award series, ahead of the ceremony on 19 November.