A TRIP to the Big Apple could help a Widnes nurse improve the health of diabetic patients.

Diane Bennett, a practice nurse at the New Town health care centre in Lugsdale Road, Widnes, has just won a scholarship to spend two weeks in New York.

It is the first time Chester and Halton Community NHS Trust has invited health professionals to apply for the chance to study abroad.

"I am really pleased to be given this opportunity," said Diane, who works as a member of an integrated nursing team.

"Diabetes is something I am very interested in. It is such a complicated condition. Many patients have multiple problems and I am looking forward to see the effectiveness of their medication.

"America is the place. They are trying out new drugs that we do not have.

"We are keen to improve diabetic services for patients in Widnes."

Diane will be talking to staff and patients at the Jocelyn Diabetes Centre, which is at the forefront of diabetes research and care.

"The number of diabetic patients in the UK is going to triple in the next few years because of changes in lifestyle," said Diane. "Getting patients to do what you ask them to do can be difficult.

"I will be interested to see how this is all handled in America."

She plans to swop ideas and believes her New York colleagues could learn a lot from Widnes.

"We may find that we are delivering a better service."

There is a chance her research could save the NHS money.

"If you can prevent complications developing, for example, heart attacks, there could be financial savings. Cost nowadays is very important in health care."

Diane is keen to find out about a new treatment, a one-a-day tablet, which has just been introduced in America.

"As yet, our doctors are not using it but it will be interesting to see how effective it is. I will be talking to American diabetic patients to find out what they think about their condition and their care."

Diane said she has received tremendous support from her nursing colleagues and the four GPs at her practice.

The scholarship funds a replacement nurse while she is away.

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