The Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) recognised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

LEICESTER, 11-Dec-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — A diabetes research centre based in Leicester has officially been recognised for its “high global standards” by an international authority on the condition

The Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) has been named an ‘International Centre of Excellence’ and an ‘International Centre of Education’ by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

The announcement was made during a special ceremony at the IDF 2017 Congress on Tuesday, December 5, in Abu Dhabi.

Professor Kamlesh Khunti, who co-leads the centre along with Professor Melanie Davies CBE, was at the event to hear the announcement.

Professor Khunti, who is also Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, said: “We are hugely honoured to have been named as an International Centre of Excellence and Education.

“It is hugely rewarding to have our hard work recognised and will mean a lot to the rest of the team who work tirelessly all year round.  Through the IDF Centre of Excellence and Education, we will continue to pursue our goals to offer the best available options for rapid, accurate prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes.”

Professor Melanie Davies CBE, Professor of Diabetes Medicine at the University of Leicester, said: “Type 2 diabetes represents a significant challenge, but a challenge we are committed to meeting. We are looking forward to working towards sharing solutions and driving positive action on a global scale in a bid to fight the international Type 2 diabetes epidemic.”

Founded in 2012, LDC is responsible for world-leading clinical research, evidence-based education and cutting-edge innovation.

Based at Leicester General Hospital, it is a partnership between Leicester’s Hospitals and the University of Leicester and is now ranked as Europe’s largest diabetes research facility.

In a letter written to the centre prior to the ceremony, Dr Shaukat Sadikot, IDF’s President, said: “IDF look forward to welcoming you to a global network of IDF Centres committed to building capacity in their regions.”

The annual four-day congress also brings together more than 200 speakers, both world-renowned and newcomers, 230 national diabetes associations from 170 countries and high level participation from the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

 ENDS

Notes to editors

For further details, to arrange an interview or more photographs, email fiona.bailey@ojpr.co.uk

• The Diabetes Research Centre is based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre.
• The Leicester Diabetes Centre is an international centre of excellence in diabetes research, education and innovation and is led by Professor Melanie Davies CBE and Professor Kamlesh Khunti.
• Hosted at Leicester General Hospital, the Leicester Diabetes Centre is a partnership between the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester, working with the city and county Clinical Commissioning Groups. It is a leading applied health research unit committed to improving the lives and care of people with diabetes and other long-term conditions.
  • The Leicester Diabetes Centre’s pioneering work has driven up standards in diabetes care worldwide, uncovered new insights about prevention and the impact of treatments and added to the global evidence base on a condition posing a major threat to world health.
  • A state-of-the-art hub spanning 4,000 square metres, the Centre includes research clinic space, a fully equipped specialist physical activity laboratory and wet lab. Complete with seminar rooms and modern conference facilities, it provides healthcare professional and patient teaching and education.
  • For more information about the Leicester Diabetes Centre, visit http://www.leicesterdiabetescentre.org.uk.

SOURCE: University of Leicester

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