Southampton General Hospital's Dr Mayank Patel has been nominated for an award for improving care for patients with diabetes

Dr Mayank Patel has spearheaded a flagship Southampton General Hospital scheme greatly improving care for patients with the condition and saving the NHS hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Now he is one of three clinicians shortlisted for the 2015 Quality in Care Programme Award in its Outstanding Educator category.

And Southampton residents are being urged to get behind him and nominate him in an online public vote determining the overall winner.

Mr Patel is behind a trial project launched in 2012 offering bedside clinics to 400 cardiac, orthopaedic and vascular patients with the condition.

An inpatient diabetes team provided patients with daily reviews and information on how to manage their health.

The team, consisting of a consultant, two specialist nurses, a research dietitian and a dedicated pharmacist, also offered bespoke teaching sessions to staff on all wards and rectified any unsafe or incorrect prescribing.

As previously reported, the scheme slashed readmission rates from 8.91 per cent to 5 per cent, reduced the length of inpatient stay and saved £200,000 a year.

They also prevented 45 potential diabetes related medication errors.

The pilot, which scooped a gong in the Quality in Care Diabetes Awards, was eventually rolled out across the Trust where at least one in five patients being cared for at any one time have the condition.

Dr Patel and colleague Dr Sanjay Gupta developed a pioneering smartphone application – DiAppBetes – to provide easily accessible advice and guidance to support non-specialist doctors and nurses who look after patients with diabetes.

He also founded charity Sugarfall to help fund equipment and educational resources for staff and patients and has overseen the launch of an insulin pump therapy service at the hospital enabling Type One diabetes sufferers access life-changing treatment closer to home.

He speaks at Diabetes UK led patient group meetings and at the annual South Coast Diabetes Wellness Day event, organised by the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation.

Dr Patel, 43, said he is “truly humbled” at his latest nomination and added: “Our team has made great progress in providing excellent care for patients’ diabetes while they are in hospital and it is the result of enthusiasm to improve among everyone – healthcare professionals, patients and their families.

“It is testament to those efforts and the dedication of the diabetes team that I have been put forward for this award and it would mean a great deal if our achievements were endorsed by our patients, colleagues and members of the public via this competition.”

The winner will be announced at the Quality in Care diabetes awards on October 15. Vote by 5pm on Friday at qualityincare.org/awards/diabetes/voting_now_open/vote_for_you_outstanding_educator.