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The Role of the PaediatricDiabetes Specialist NurseDr. Asaad T. EI-Abbas (EI-Srurabi),MBBS, MMS, MRCP + DCHConsultant Paediatrician, Mayo General Hospital,Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland* Diabetes is the commonest endocrine disorder of childhood, and is a life longchronic condition.* 20,000 people under the age of 20 years with diabetes in the UK* The incidence of diabetes in childhood is increasing, and the onset is occurringat a younger age.* The demand for Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurses is likely to continue infuture years.* PDSN is the hub of the Diabetes team.In order to provide and deliver a high quality paediatrics diabetes services PDSNS+along with other team members need to consider certain priorities:1. Having a clear philosophy for team approach.2. Having guidelines of practice for the clinic and in-patient unit.3. Promoting ongoing education involving:- the child / family- other health professionals in the hospital or community settings.4. Facilitating and co-ordinating effective care.5. Taking responsibility for personal development needs.6. Monitoring the service offered by audit, i.e. by measuring the efficiency, effectivenessand economics of the service according to resources available.Backgroundand History:* The first nurses with specific responsibility for patients with Diabetes wereinvestigated in the early 1950's in Leicester, known as "Diabetes Liaison HealthVisitors" .* The first posts were developed in 1970.* Nurse practitioners developed in America in the 1970 and subsequentlyevolved into specialist nurse educators.* In Australia the first paediatric diabetes education was appointed in 1978.* In France they are all hospital based.* In Sweden Doctors and Dietician's are the major educators.