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Diabetes Innovation in Practice Programme
Lead the change
We are looking for passionate registered NHS healthcare professionals to lead quality-improvement and service-delivery projects that will drive actionable, measurable and replicable change in diabetes care.
With mentorship from leading UK diabetes experts, supported by Hult Ashridge Executive Education,1 and sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care, you’ll be empowered to deliver a project that improves lives and reshapes diabetes care.
We welcome applications from primary care, specialist diabetes teams, mental health, psychology, community services, pharmacy, older people’s services and healthcare professionals with a strong interest in diabetes care.
“We delved into a truly immersive learning experience that is unlike anything I’ve seen in my 26-year health and social care career.”
Diabetes Innovator, Cohort 1, 2026
Why this programme matters
Almost
6 million
people are
living with
the condition2
Change is needed
Diabetes is one of the most pressing health challenges facing the UK today. Almost 6 million people are living with the condition, 90% of whom have type 2 diabetes, and nearly 1.3 million remain undiagnosed.2 The rising prevalence is placing immense pressure on the NHS, and current systems are struggling to keep pace.
Across primary, secondary and community care, healthcare professionals are committed to supporting patients with compassion and expertise – yet they often face challenges such as outdated systems, complex processes, individual and societal barriers, limited resources, and limited support. Overcoming these barriers can unlock the confidence needed to integrate new technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring.3
This programme exists to change that.
What you will do
Identify a local challenge in diabetes care
Design and deliver an impactful project incorporating sensing technology, to solve this challenge
Commit to attend virtual and in-person sessions
Reflect, share, and grow as a leader
Programme schedule
This is a structured 12-month programme designed to support you from idea to impact.
Virtual sessions
Interviews 2–12 November 2026
Application interview with the programme leads (15–20 minutes)
Launch Meeting Thursday, 10 December 2027 12:30–13:30
Introduction to the programme and connecting the cohort (1 hour)
Intermodular Meetings – dates agreed with your mentor
Four group sessions to share progress, troubleshoot challenges and stay connected, with self-directed learning and ongoing mentorship to support your project delivery (1.5 hours each).
In-person sessions
Held at Hult Ashridge Executive Education School, Ashridge House, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1NS
Learning, self-development and collaboration
Two immersive sessions to focus on project development and peer learning (2 days, 2 nights each)
Module 1: Tuesday, 12 January to Thursday, 14 January 2027
Module 2: Wednesday, 9 June to Friday, 11 June 2027
Graduation and Project Presentation: January 2028
Showcase your final project to key stakeholders at a dedicated session in January 2028
“Leading voices in diabetes and healthcare that brought depth, expertise and real-world insight to every discussion”
Diabetes Innovator, Cohort 1, 2026
How will you benefit from this programme?
Gain experience in successfully delivering a quality-improvement project
Become part of a community that fosters collaboration for change across the local and regional healthcare ecosystem
Advance your skills while having a positive impact on communities and “people living with diabetes” projects
Develop your insight and thought leadership, enabling you to continue delivering innovative strategies in complex healthcare environments
Receive support and mentorship in addressing complex challenges
Create measurable benefits for people living with diabetes
Reimbursement
This is a voluntary role. Programme costs, travel and accommodation are covered and will be booked by Abbott Diabetes Care.
The ideal candidate
You are a passionate, driven and innovative UK-based registered NHS healthcare professional with a special interest in diabetes. You:
- Have a passion for improving diabetes healthcare and a desire to challenge the status quo
- Actively work with people living with diabetes, with a strong knowledge of local healthcare systems
- Have a clear idea for a diabetes service-improvement project using sensing technology that can achieve local, regional or national impact
- Are ready to lead and influence improvements in diabetes healthcare and secure buy- in across stakeholders, services and systems
- Possess self-awareness regarding your behavioural strengths and development opportunities and strive towards continuous learning and development
- Demonstrate compassionate leadership by displaying sensitivity to how words, actions and decision impact others
- Are willing to present at local, national and international forums
Applications are welcomed from professionals working across:
- Primary care
- Specialist diabetes services
- Community healthcare
- Older people’s services
- Mental health services
- Diabetes psychology
- Pharmacy
- Allied health professions
- Integrated care systems
- Other healthcare settings that support people living with diabetes.
Tell us how you would improve diabetes care in your community — and why you’re ready to lead change.
“As I return to my NHS roles, I carry forward not just new skills, but a renewed sense of purpose.”
Diabetes Innovator, Cohort 1, 2026
Programme Faculty
Our Programme Faculty, including the Abbott Diabetes Care Medical Team, will select and mentor delegates and projects, provide data, information and research findings, and assist with presentations and publications.
Professor Naresh Kanumilli
Visiting Professor – Institute of Medicine, University of Greater Manchester | Chair – Primary Care Diabetes & Obesity Society | Community Diabetes Consultant – Manchester University Foundation Trust | Clinical Champion – Diabetes UK | Clinical Network Lead for Diabetes – Greater Manchester | Honorary Clinical Advisor for Primary Care Research – GMCRN
Nicola Milne, Queen’s Nurse RGN RM
Primary Care Diabetes Specialist Nurse | Author – The Oxford Book of Diabetes Nursing | Diabetes Specialist Nurse and Clinical Lead – Greater Manchester and East Cheshire Strategic Clinical Network | Co-Vice Chair – Primary Care Diabetes & Obesity Society
Dr. Rose Stewart
Consultant Clinical Psychologist | Diabetes Psychology Lead – for Wales |
Chair – UK Diabetes Psychology Network
Philip Newland-Jones
Consultant Pharmacist and Honorary Associate Professor in Diabetes and Endocrinology | Clinical Director of Diabetes and Endocrinology – University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust
Professor Guy Lubitsh
Professor for Leadership and Psychology – Hult Ashridge Executive Education
Dr. Elemer Balogh
Medical Director – Abbott Diabetes Care
Accessibility and diversity
We are committed to a truly inclusive environment and will ensure diversity through representation from different professions, areas of the UK and projects.
Apply to join
Diabetes Innovation in Practice Programme - application form
Applications are welcome from HCPs that have not received payment from Abbott for Professional Services in the last 12 months.
By submitting this application form to Abbott, I agree for my data to be processed in line with Abbott’s privacy policy (https://pro.freestyle.abbott/uk-en/privacy-policy.html) and, where required, to be shared with approved third parties in order to provide the programme. Applications are welcome from HCPs that are not currently contracted to work with Abbott Diabetes Care and have not provided Professional Services to Abbott Diabetes Care in the last 12 months.
References & Disclaimers
Images are for illustrative purposes only. Not real patient, data or healthcare professional.
1. https://www.hult.edu.
2. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/about-the-charity/our-strategy/statistics.
3. Seidu, S. Diabet Med (2024): https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.15500.
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