A Norfolk doctor has been selected as a Diabetes UK clinical champion, to help transform care for people living with diabetes in the East of England.

Clare Hambling, Downham Market GP and clinical lead for diabetes and long term conditions at West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group, was chosen for her passion for, and commitment to excellence in diabetes care.

She is particularly interested in addressing healthcare inequality and meeting the needs of more vulnerable people, including older people and those living with mental health or learning difficulties.

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to complications including blindness, amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

As a GP and clinical lead for diabetes and long term conditions, Dr Hambling will join a two-year leadership development programme, supported by Diabetes UK. Through her training, she will identify areas in need of improvement and drive vital changes to the diabetes services that people in the East of England receive.

'I was so excited when Diabetes UK offered me a place on the Clinical Champions Programme. We have an exciting but challenging programme of projects aimed at improving services and outcomes for people living with diabetes in Norfolk and I hope my learning from the Clinical Champions Programme and the support of my colleagues will help me provide effective clinical leadership to help implement those.'

Dr Hambling is one of 20 UK healthcare professionals, including consultants, nurses, GPs, dietitians, podiatrists, pharmacists and psychologists to be appointed as a clinical champion this year.

Peter Shorrick, Midlands and East of England Regional Head, Diabetes UK, said: 'Investing in diabetes care in this way, will help reduce serious complications, and in turn reduce the devastating personal – and economic – costs that can result from poor management of the condition. Champions like Clare play a critical role in improving the services people with diabetes receive, and contribute massively to our vision of creating a world where diabetes can do no harm.'