Leicester Diabetes Centre

Leicester Diabetes Centre We are a leading applied health research unit committed to improving the lives and care of people wi

The Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) is based at the Leicester General Hospital and is hosted by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Leicester has a strong tradition and reputation for excellence in diabetes care dating back 70 years to the pioneering work of Doctor Joan Walker, who established the first community diabetes clinics and the first diabetes research nurses in the UK. She started work at the Leicester Royal Infirmary as honorary Physician during the world war 2 taking care of people with diabetes. Leicester also has the highest number of people with diabetes in the UK. Dr John Hearnshaw, was her successor in 1967 at the LRI, He was influential in the care of both children and adults with diabetes. He presented at the IFD : review of childhood diabetes in Leicester from 1930 which, formed basis of other prevalence studies. This pioneering spirit is still at work in the Leicester Diabetes Centre. The original research department originated at the Royal Infirmary and was opened in 1996. At this time the main research work undertaken in the department were commercial drug trials.
 But it was only 12 years ago that Professor Melanie Davies began the diabetes research service with one nurse. In 2001 a Nurse Research Fellow was appointed to develop non-commercial clinical trials following the success of the departments first academic study in 1999 looking into the combination of different oral agents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Since then, Professor Melanie Davies (Professor Melanie Davies is an Honorary Consultant Physician in the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and, since February 2006, Professor of Diabetes Medicine at the University of Leicester) and colleague Professor Kamlesh Khunti (Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine, University of Leicester) have developed a talented and diverse team of over 110 researchers, clinicians and educationalists working together on an innovative research portfolio of successful academic and commercial trials.


In March 2012 the new Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) was opened, hosted within clinical space at the Leicester General Hospital (LGH) with excellent access to patients. The Centre is now one of the largest facilities in Europe for carrying out first class and cutting edge research in the field of diabetes, prevention, and related long-term conditions. The team is recognised as leading in national and international research, education and training in diabetes.

We’re proud to celebrate Dr Ruth James’s first year at the Leicester Diabetes Centre!Ruth’s academic journey began at Ab...
06/01/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Dr Ruth James’s first year at the Leicester Diabetes Centre!

Ruth’s academic journey began at Aberdeen and Loughborough, where she completed her PhD, before spending 14 years at Nottingham Trent University managing six undergraduate programmes and over 1,300 students.

Now, she’s driving innovation in diabetes education and embedding lifestyle medicine into medical training.

Read her full story here: https://www.leicesterdiabetescentre.org.uk/news-blog/dr-ruth-james-marks-first-year-of-driving-education-and-lifestyle-medicine

Merry Christmas from everyone at the Leicester Diabetes Centre! Thank you for your continued support 💙
25/12/2025

Merry Christmas from everyone at the Leicester Diabetes Centre! Thank you for your continued support 💙

Listen to the new M3 Podcast episode!🎧Julia Burdon talks about diabetes education and MyDESMOND, an award-winning digita...
22/12/2025

Listen to the new M3 Podcast episode!🎧

Julia Burdon talks about diabetes education and MyDESMOND, an award-winning digital platform developed by the Leicester Diabetes Centre, which provides interactive e-learning through videos and activities, access to expert guidance, and a supportive online community. The platform is designed to help individuals manage their condition and make sustainable lifestyle changes for better long-term health.

🔗 https://www.leicesterdiabetescentre.org.uk/news-blog/insights-from-julia-burdon-and-mydesmond

We’re proud to read Callum Metcalfe-O’Shea's reflections on his recent visit to our EDEN team."The visit was a powerful ...
16/12/2025

We’re proud to read Callum Metcalfe-O’Shea's reflections on his recent visit to our EDEN team.

"The visit was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when academic excellence, clinical insight, and nursing leadership converge."

Read the full blog on The RCN website: https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/Blogs/strengthening-the-future-of-diabetes-care

In this blog, UK Professional Lead for Long Term Conditions, Callum, talks about his recent visit to EDEN Leicester Diabetes Centre and what he learnt.

🎄 Last week, LDC staff delivered our Christmas boxes to the YMCA Leicestershire, filled with thoughtful donations collec...
15/12/2025

🎄 Last week, LDC staff delivered our Christmas boxes to the YMCA Leicestershire, filled with thoughtful donations collected over the past few months.

The YMCA team were amazed by the variety of gifts and the care taken to choose items especially for the young adults who use their services.

Thank you to everyone who donated, collected, sorted, organised, packed and decorated the boxes. Without everyone’s help, we wouldn’t have been able to create so many beautiful boxes 💙

We’re proud to share that the Leicester Diabetes Centre has been commended at the prestigious Quality in Care (QiC) Diab...
25/11/2025

We’re proud to share that the Leicester Diabetes Centre has been commended at the prestigious Quality in Care (QiC) Diabetes Awards for their work supporting people with Early Onset Type 2 Diabetes (EOT2D).

This innovative care pathway includes:
✅ High-risk clinics for intensive management
✅ Preconception clinics for women planning pregnancy
✅ Streamlined GP referrals
✅ Extra support for practices in high-prevalence areas

Results after 15 months:
🔸HbA1c reduced by 2.0% in 6 months
🔸Triglycerides down by 1.3 mmol/L
🔸High patient satisfaction

This recognition highlights our commitment to improving outcomes for younger people living with type 2 diabetes. Learn more about our work and upcoming symposium in January 2026: www.leicesterdiabetescentre.org.uk/news-blog/ldc-team-commended-for-transforming-care-for-early-onset-type-2-diabetes

Address

Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital
Leicester
LE54PW,ENGLAND,UK

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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Our Story

Leicester has a strong tradition and reputation for excellence in diabetes care dating back 70 years to the pioneering work of Doctor Joan Walker, who established the first community diabetes clinics and the first diabetes research nurses in the UK. She started work at the Leicester Royal Infirmary as honorary Physician during the world war 2 taking care of people with diabetes. Leicester also has the highest number of people with diabetes in the UK. Dr John Hearnshaw, was her successor in 1967 at the LRI, He was influential in the care of both children and adults with diabetes. He presented at the IFD : review of childhood diabetes in Leicester from 1930 which, formed basis of other prevalence studies. This pioneering spirit is still at work in the Leicester Diabetes Centre. The original research department originated at the Royal Infirmary and was opened in 1996. At this time the main research work undertaken in the department were commercial drug trials.
 But it was only 12 years ago that Professor Melanie Davies began the diabetes research service with one nurse. In 2001 a Nurse Research Fellow was appointed to develop non-commercial clinical trials following the success of the departments first academic study in 1999 looking into the combination of different oral agents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Since then, Professor Melanie Davies (Professor Melanie Davies is an Honorary Consultant Physician in the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and, since February 2006, Professor of Diabetes Medicine at the University of Leicester) and colleague Professor Kamlesh Khunti (Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine, University of Leicester) have developed a talented and diverse team of over 110 researchers, clinicians and educationalists working together on an innovative research portfolio of successful academic and commercial trials.
 In March 2012 the new Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) was opened, hosted within clinical space at the Leicester General Hospital (LGH) with excellent access to patients. The Centre is now one of the largest facilities in Europe for carrying out first class and cutting edge research in the field of diabetes, prevention, and related long-term conditions. The team is recognised as leading in national and international research, education and training in diabetes.