The work by Swansea University’s Professor David Raymond Owens has been rewarded at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Patient Care Awards 2018 in London.

Professor David Owens picks up his Royal College of Physicians Award with Dr Rebecca Thomas and Dr Jane Lewis.

The annual awards promote and reward the work physicians are undertaking to improve patient care.

Professor Owens picked up the International Award for Outstanding Clinical Activity which contributes to excellence in patient care overseas.

Professor Owens received the award for his continued commitment to diabetes care abroad. His work includes the establishment and implementation of a 10-year action plan for diabetes care in Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago, including a diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening programme, a diabetic foot care service, a specialist nurse workforce and a validated diabetes register alongside colleagues at ABMU Health Board, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board and Cardiff University. 

Professor Owens said he was delighted by the win the international award on behalf of the team of dedicated colleagues which highlights the Medical School’s commitment to diabetes care – not only in Wales, but across the world.

Professor David Owens in Mauritius as advisor to the Prime Minister. Professor Owens led a programme of Diabetes care in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other UK diabetes experts.

Professor Owens said: “It has been a privilege for me to have the opportunity provided by the Medical School and supported by many colleagues to help those countries in the world, who are now facing the increasing burden of diabetes. We in Wales have a lot more to offer the international community in patient care in the field of diabetes.”

Professor Keith Lloyd, Head of the Medical School, said Professor Owens’s award  demonstrated the high-quality activity taking place in the diabetes field at Swansea University.

Professor Lloyd said:  “This award is highly deserved and we as a school congratulate Professor Owens.

“We know diabetes is a leading cause of ill health and premature death regionally, nationally - and globally, which brings with it huge financial pressures for our health services.

“As a top 3 UK Medical School we are committed to ensuring the wealth of diabetes expertise we have within the school has impact both in terms of research to develop new drugs, care and treatments but also to upskill our NHS workforce.

“We recently launched our Diabetes Centre of Excellence with Global pharmaceutical company Sanofi and we have also launched our first distance learning MSc in Diabetes Practice.”

Looking to the future, Professor Owens is in discussions with the Peruvian Diabetes Association to establish a diabetic retinopathy screening programme.

To find out more about the MSc in Diabetes Practice visit www.swansea.ac.uk/medicine and search Postgraduate courses.