Treating complications of diabetes costs the NHS ~ £6.2 billion annually. Providing effective diabetes care means many of these complications can be avoided, improving quality of life for people with diabetes and reducing costs. Structured education is a key part of any diabetes service offer. Supporting people to self-manage their diabetes is a cost-effective way to improve outcomes and reduce the risks of complications.

For 25 years DAFNE structured education has equipped people with type 1 diabetes with the skills they need to adjust their insulin for any food choices they make. In the UK people with diabetes access DAFNE courses through the NHS. 66,000 people with type 1 diabetes have graduated from a DAFNE course and 2,900 healthcare professionals have completed DAFNE training.

DAFNE is evidence based, effective and safe. Research, audit and person reported outcome data associate DAFNE courses with a range of improved outcomes. DAFNE works because course participants learn how to manage diabetes throughout their daily lives, for example, if they want to be active, go on holiday, attend a celebration or if they are unwell. DAFNE is different to other courses as it focuses on learning skills. People with diabetes can try new behaviours around food and insulin during the course while they are being supported by DAFNE educators.

DAFNE is continually evolving; there are specific courses for people using a pump, closed loop or multiple daily injections of insulin. VICTOR is a new course for people with type 2 diabetes using background and quick acting insulin with some or all meals. DAFNE provides diabetes specialist teams with the training they need to deliver participant courses.

• At the end of the session participants will be able to comprehend:
• - what DAFNE is,
• - the benefits of structured education for people with diabetes who use insulin,
• - the benefits of skills based education and group learning,
• - DAFNE's evidence base,
• - information on new DAFNE courses.