BBO Training

Course Overview

This two-day Introduction to Diabetes course is designed for healthcare professionals working in Primary Care who are new to diabetes management or developing their role within structured diabetes reviews.

The programme provides a comprehensive foundation in adult diabetes care, with a primary focus on Type 2 diabetes. Teaching is aligned with current NICE guidance (including NG28) and supports clinicians in delivering safe, evidence-based diabetes care within General Practice.

Participants will develop confidence in understanding diabetes pathophysiology, supporting newly diagnosed patients, organising structured annual reviews, optimising non-insulin therapies, recognising complications, and promoting self-management.

The course combines structured teaching with case-based discussion to support practical application within everyday Primary Care consultations.

Who Should Attend

This course is suitable for:

• Practice Nurses
• Nurse Associates
• Advanced Clinical Practitioners
• Primary Care Pharmacists
• Paramedics working in Primary Care
• Experienced Healthcare Assistants involved in diabetes reviews

No prior advanced diabetes training is required.

What This Course Covers

Day One – Foundations and Structured Care

• Pathophysiology of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
• Insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction
• Screening and diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes
• Communicating a new diagnosis
• Remission in Type 2 diabetes – evidence and practical considerations
• Healthy eating and carbohydrate awareness
• Range of dietary approaches
• Weight management pathways
• Physical activity and metabolic health
• Diabetic foot assessment and risk stratification
• Organising structured diabetes care in practice
  • QOF indicators
  • The 8 care processes
  • 3 treatment targets
  • Care and support planning
• Case-based discussion

Day Two – Pharmacology, Complications and Risk Management

• Overview of non-insulin pharmacological treatments:
  • Metformin
  • SGLT2 inhibitors
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists
  • DPP-4 inhibitors
  • Sulfonylureas
• Mechanisms of action and clinical considerations
• Individualising therapy
• Cardiovascular and renal protection in Type 2 diabetes
• Acute complications:
  • Hypoglycaemia
  • Hyperglycaemia
  • Sick day rules
• Long-term complications:
  • Microvascular
  • Macrovascular
• Blood glucose and ketone monitoring
• DVLA guidance and diabetes
• Referral pathways:
  • Structured education
  • Podiatry
  • Weight management
  • Secondary care
  • Psychological support
• Competency development and ongoing learning

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the pathophysiology of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
• Describe diagnostic criteria and communicate a new diagnosis effectively
• Discuss remission approaches in Type 2 diabetes
• Provide evidence-based dietary and lifestyle advice
• Understand the mechanisms and roles of commonly used non-insulin medications
• Conduct a structured annual diabetes review
• Identify risk factors for complications and implement preventative strategies
• Recognise and advise on hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia
• Apply DVLA guidance appropriately
• Signpost and refer to appropriate services

Course Format

Duration: Two full days

Delivery: Virtual (Zoom) or face-to-face

Format includes:

• Structured teaching sessions
• Case-based discussion
• Clinical scenario analysis
• Interactive discussion
• Practical application exercises

Certification

Certificate of attendance provided for CPD and revalidation purposes.