DOCTORS and nurses in Southampton are testing out a new virtual reality training system to improve the care of people with diabetes.

The technology, developed by Oxford Medical Simulation, enables clinicians to learn how to manage medical emergencies in a digital environment via a headset.

It helps them work through and recognise potentially life-threatening situations such as seeing patients with extremely high or low blood sugar levels and scores the actions they take to support learning.

The project is led by Dr Partha Kar, of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, with the help of clinicians including Dr Mayank Patel, a consultant diabetologist at University Hospital Southampton.

It is funded by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk with the equipment being trialled across the south of England in partnership with Health Education England.

“Patients with type one diabetes in particular are at higher risk of developing serious glucose-related problems when in hospital due to extreme highs and lows in their blood sugar levels,” explained Dr Patel.

“Diabetes emergency situations can escalate quickly and can sometimes be difficult for non-specialists doctors and nurses to recognise, so it is hoped that increased education and training around diabetes in hospital can markedly improve the current statistics.

“Ensuring clinicians are trained effectively to spot potential and manage confirmed diabetes in emergency situations promptly is vital and this immersive digital environment is an innovative and engaging way to do that.”

Around 20 per cent of all inpatients at any one time in a UK hospital have diabetes.

Currently, at least one in 25 with type one diabetes nationally develop a dangerous condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) during their hospital stay.

DKA can develop if the body starts to run short of insulin, causing a build up of harmful substances in the blood known as ketones.