MSATS – Safer use of insulin

Event 26 March 2025Location Online via WebEx at 12:30-14:00

Discussion of key current medication safety challenges within healthcare with a focus on the safe use of insulin; inspiring partnership across the system.

Date

26 March 2025

Location

Online via WebEx at 12:30-14:00

About the event

This interactive session was part of the ‘Medication Safety Across the System’ (MSATS) series aimed at healthcare professionals, working in any sector with a role or passion for medication safety and/or involved in medicines use. 

Our speakers shared innovative practices addressing safer use of insulin to inspire and equip the audience, ready for translation and replication across systems.

In the podcast below, Emma Kirk and Claire Davies discuss why you should be part of our next MSATS webinar.

Why it’s important 

There are known risks associated with the use of insulin. Incidents involving insulin remain some of the most commonly reported errors across healthcare settings and they can significantly impact people’s health.  

Implementation of safety strategies to support the safer use of insulin requires a collaborative and system wide approach to ensure safe and sustainable improvements.

What was covered

  • A discussion of factors that add complexities to the safe prescribing, supply and administration of insulin 
  • A ‘lived experience’ to understand how these complexities impact people living with diabetes and how as a healthcare system we can respond and prioritise improvements 
  • Shared exemplar practices related to the safer use of insulin, which will allow for reflection on local practice and consideration for replication at a local and wider healthcare system level 
  • Opportunities to network with peers to inform the development of appropriate local and system wide responses to insulin safety concerns

Learning outcomes

  • Articulate key safety issues related to the prescribing, supply and administration of insulin 
  • Understand the importance of clear communication and documentation regarding the pertinent aspects of insulin use across care boundaries 
  • Understand the benefit of clear guidance, procedures and policies to support safer use of insulin in any care setting 
  • Understand the principles and advantages of self-management of diabetes and insulin, and strategies to embed this into practice
  • Reflect on examples shared and identify actions or responses to recommend locally, in order to improve safe practice

Speakers

A range of speakers from SPS and other organisations helped to run this event.

Non-SPS Speakers

Hanadi Alkhder

Senior Prescribing Advisor and Diabetes Lead, Medicines Management & Optimisation Team, NHS Birmingham & Solihull ICB  

Charlie Churchill

Person living with diabetes

Dr Alex Harborne

Clinical Director, East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT)

Matthew Heppel

Advanced Diabetes and Endocrine Pharmacist, Hull University Teaching Hospitals

Paula Johnston

Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse, University Hospital Southampton

Professor Gerry Rayman

Consultant of Diabetology, Ipswich hospital (ESNEFT) and GIRFT Co-lead for Diabetes

SPS Speakers

Learn more about the SPS team who are running this event.

Resources

Information presented in these resources is correct at time of recording. Current guidance should be followed.

Recordings

Webinar Recording

Reporting concerns with medication devices – how you can help us reach users

Emma Rooke talks about the work the MHRA are doing to increase reporting about safety concerns identified with the equipment used to manage diabetes.

MHRA Yellow Card reporting demonstration

A demonstration from the MHRA which will talk you through how to report a concern or incident about a device used in the management of diabetes.

Podcasts

Insulin safety considerations in Health and Justice and secure settings

Claire Davies chats to Neera Shah about the challenges and considerations with insulin safety in health and justice and secure settings.

Voice of people living with diabetes – insulin safety and visual impairment

Claire Davies chats with Toby, a person living with diabetes, as to why it is essential that the voice of those with lived experience is heard and is central to any system-wide discussions about insulin safety and what is important to him to ensure his insulin therapy is safe alongside visual impairment.

Presentation Resources

Slides from the presentation are now available below.

Contact us

Please contact the Admin Team if you have any questions.

Print this page