Staff Experience

Staff viewed integrated T1DE care as a way to treat physical and mental health needs as one combined problem. Staff reported a strongly positive experience once T1DE teams were established. Multidisciplinary working, rapid colleague access, and supervision helped staff manage clinical risk. The work was emotionally demanding because staff managed patients at serious physical and mental health risk. Funding uncertainty disrupted services and increased perceived clinical risk. Staff identified discharge as difficult because both staff and patients may expect long-term relationships similar to routine diabetes care.