The evolution of diabetes care in primary care has never been more dynamic. Over the past two decades, we’ve moved from a narrow glycaemic lens to a truly cardiometabolic approach, with powerful therapies, better risk stratification, and a renewed focus on remission and patient‑centred outcomes. Yet, the day‑to‑day realities—initiating injectables, navigating pregnancy, supporting young people, and delivering sustainable lifestyle change—remain challenging at the front line.
This conference is a one‑day, case‑based, practical conference crafted for GPs, GP registrars, practice nurses, clinical pharmacists, paramedics, and the wider primary care MDT. Across the day, you’ll gain concise algorithms, prescribing and monitoring checklists, referral triggers, and language/behavioural strategies that make consultations smoother and outcomes better. Join us for pragmatic, up‑to‑date, and patient‑centered learning—designed to support safe, equitable diabetes care across the life course.
Learning objectives
By the end of the conference, delegates will be able to:
- Summarise the major changes in type 2 diabetes care since 2003, including cardio‑renal risk reduction, weight‑centred management, and personalisation of therapy.
- Prioritise first‑ and second‑line therapy choices using a cardiometabolic framework (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, obesity, hypoglycaemia risk, and patient preference).
- Identify appropriate candidates for GLP‑1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes and for weight management, considering indications, BMI/eligibility, and comorbidities.
- Initiate and titrate GLP‑1 receptor agonists safely in primary care, anticipating common adverse effects (gastrointestinal intolerance, dehydration risk), mitigating them with practical counselling, and monitoring response.
- Have an introduction to practicalities of starting insulin e.g select when and how to start insulin (e.g., basal-first), set personalised glycaemic targets, and apply simple up‑titration algorithms aligned to self-monitoring of blood glucose/continuous glucose monitoring data.
- Differentiate pre‑existing diabetes vs gestational diabetes and outline preconception, antenatal, and postnatal priorities (folate, medication safety switches, glycaemic targets, ketone education).
- Recognise red flags and use clear referral/escalation pathways between primary care, diabetes in pregnancy teams, and obstetrics.
- Recognise presentations of diabetes in children/teens (including Diabetic Ketoacidosis red flags) and act on urgent referral thresholds.
- Support ongoing care in primary care (screening, vaccination, psychosocial considerations) and facilitate safe transition planning with paediatric and young adult services.
- Explain evidence‑based approaches to type 2 diabetes remission (e.g., low‑calorie/total diet replacement and low‑carbohydrate strategies) and select who is most likely to benefit.
- Embed behaviour‑change techniques and culturally sensitive counselling to improve adherence, metabolic health, and long‑term weight maintenance.
- Apply practical checklists for medication review, polypharmacy, and deprescribing opportunities (e.g., when weight loss allows treatment simplification).
Topics
- A guided tour of the key shifts from 2003 to 2026—what’s genuinely changed e.g guidelines, what still matters, and what to do next and help your patients.
- The practicalities of starting GLP‑1 receptor agonists (for type 2 diabetes and weight management).
- The practicalities of starting insulin safely in primary care.
- Diabetes in pregnancy.
- Diabetes in children and teenagers.
- Type 2 diabetes reversal and lifestyle management—turning evidence into realistic action in real clinics.
Conference chair
Dr Vinesh Sobha MRCGP, GPwER in diabetes and Diabetes UK Clinical Champion
