Queen Alexandra Hospital diabetes consultant named in list of 50 most influential BAME people in healthcare
A DIABETES consultant has been named as one of 50 people from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background who will have the most influence over health policy in the country over the next year.
Professor Partha Kar, who works at Queen Alexandra Hospital as a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology, has joined 49 others, in the list published by the Health Service Journal and sponsored by NHS England and NHS Improvement.
Others include footballer Marcus Rashford, deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam and Millie Banerjee, chair at NHS Blood and Transplant.
Prof Kar’s work has included pioneering the super six model of diabetes care, and setting up pilot projects for diabulimia – an eating disorder where people with type 1 diabetes give themselves less insulin for weight loss.
He has driven forward innovative technology across the NHS, such as wearable glucose monitors and taken up individual patients’ issues with Clinical Commissioning Groups.
He is also a national speciality advisor for diabetes to NHS England and collaborated on a series of Talking about Diabetes talks and a comic for those with type 1 diabetes.
Prof Kar, who has been a consultant for 12 years, said: ‘I am incredibly honoured and amazed to share a list with some phenomenal people- not to mention Marcus Rashford – who has done some amazing work around children and free school meals.
‘Present uncertain times notwithstanding, I feel positive about the future of diabetes care; mostly on the back of some great primary care colleagues and specialist teams in the area.
‘However, we need to focus on issues such as deprivation which are key factors in poor outcomes and that as ever will be a challenge in present times.’
Prof Kar has also been open about online racist abuse he receives online and racism encountered in his professional career.
He added: ‘Overall, it’s been positive. People in Portsmouth have been very kind and welcoming and has indeed been my home.
‘Experiences have had their shares of ups and downs but overall, I have enjoyed being a part of the NHS, whether in a local or national role and having the opportunity to help people with diabetes.’