The clinical director for diabetes at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed as one of the first healthcare champions by Diabetes UK, as part of a new initiative that will help drive forward improvements in diabetes care across the UK.

Dr Srikanth Bellary, clinical director for diabetes and endocrinology, will join Diabetes UK’s Local Clinical Champion programme. Consisting of a national cohort of nine other clinicians, Diabetes UK will support Dr Bellary to help develop diabetes services across local health systems in the local region.

Dr Bellary said: “It is a great privilege to be a part of Diabetes UK’s Local Clinical Champion initiative. The group will help develop connections across the care system, including strengthening relationships between GPs and specialist doctors in hospital, enhancing knowledge and expertise. This will result in improved care for diabetes patients in the region.

“I am very excited to be involved with the scheme, which will help improve diabetes care for locals now and in the future.”

Dr Bellary has been a consultant at the Trust, which covers Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital and Community Services, since March 2008 and was appointed clinical director for diabetes and endocrinology in July 2011. He is also a senior lecturer in metabolic medicine at Aston University.