Type 2 diabetes care among Black Africans and Caribbeans in Croydon

This is a report by Healthwatch Croydon. The project looks at people with type 2 diabetes from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds.

The Healthwatch Croydon’s Type 2 diabetes inequality project was first proposed as a part of a local initiative to better understand how ethnic communities in Croydon, particularly those of Black African and Caribbean descent, experience diabetes care. Healthwatch Croydon agreed to take on a placement from MSc Chronic Health Management course at Twickenham St Mary’s University.

A survey looked to at the experiences and perspectives of African and Caribbeans who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and how easy they find it to interact with diabetic services. Respondents shared their experience of being referred to specialists by their GP’s or outreach groups. There was a general satisfaction with services received pertaining to diabetes care, 
particularly at Croydon University Hospital.

With 82 responses, this project reveals an insightful picture into how type 2 diabetes affects daily life, service engagement and general emotional wellbeing. While majority of the responses leaned towards positive experiences with GP’s and community health workers, it also found that significant barriers still exist around culturally relevant care, lifestyle advice and mental health support. 

There are recommendations in this report:

• Develop relevant materials that are culturally sensitive.
• Visibility improvement in terms of the diabetes service.
• Church outreach is an avenue for reaching people.
• Improve cultural competency more widely in the health and care system.
• Lived Experience Assessor (LEA) groups could be used to inform services.

There are no follow up actions in this report.