1. DAFNE User Action Group and DAFNE User Group

2. Definitions DAFNE User Group (DUG) DAFNE Graduates registered with DAFNE Central DAFNE User Action Group (DUAG) Committee of DAFNE Graduates elected by DUG

3. About the DAFNE User Group  The DAFNE User Group (DUG) is made up of Graduates who have agreed to have their contact details held by the DAFNE Central Team.  The DUG is consulted by the DUAG and the DAFNE Programme Team when their opinions are needed on the DAFNE Programme.  Graduate views are taken into account when decisions are made.  DUG members elect representatives to sit on the DAFNE User Action Group (DUAG).  DUG members may also help by being the local presence of DUAG at DAFNE Centres.  DUG members can help influencing PCT’s and Health Boards to continue or provide DAFNE courses in their area.  The DAFNE programme needs and wants the opinions of its graduates in areas such as:  feedback about their experiences of DAFNE  new materials  training resources.  ballots to elect members to the DUAG  volunteer themselves for DUAG.

4. About the DUAG The purpose of the DAFNE User Action Group (DUAG) is to promote and support the continuing development of DAFNE. This encompasses:  Representing the views of DAFNE Graduates within meetings and dealings with the DAFNE Healthcare Professionals.  Helping to shape the DAFNE research programme by assisting with questions, analysis and dissemination.  Campaigning to increase awareness of the value of DAFNE and its development.  Promoting DAFNE to Type 1 Diabetics and their families, Health Care Professionals and Employers.  Lobbying for health care funding so that there are sufficient DAFNE centres, Educators and sources of follow-up.

5. Focus Areas Liaison Provides attendee’s at:  Executive Meetings  Research Meetings  Database Meetings  Educator Group Meetings Awareness  Targets Type 1 diabetics and their families who could benefit from DAFNE  Health Care Professionals who could promote the best use of DAFNE  Employers who might encourage or discourage people to take DAFNE courses. Lobbying The aim is for sustainable DAFNE centres, Educators and follow up to meet demand. This will be achieved by lobbying the following:  Commissioners (PCTs, Health Boards, Trusts, GPs)  Politicians and relevant media  Organisations (NICE, Diabetes UK, Charitable Groups)  Industry Involvement Encourage increasing involvement of the DAFNE User Group by establishing effective two way communication with the DUG. Increase DUG membership.

6. Why have a DUG Graduate involvement is important to the DAFNE Programme, graduates are the best people to know what is an is not working on the course The DUAG needs the feedback and input of other graduates to help them decide what is important to graduates and also what areas need improving. The DUAG needs the help of graduates to keep in touch with what is happening in local DAFNE Centres and also to assist when problems do occur in their local centre. It provides a way of keeping in touch with graduates so they can be kept informed on developments in DAFNE and of events that may interest them. It will also help graduates to continue to follow the DAFNE principles. The DUG can also provide a pool of potential volunteers when research is being undertaken into the effects and benefits of DAFNE. More here ???

7. Why have a DUAG A number of areas of the DAFNE Programme need and welcome graduate involvement in their activities. The DUAG provides a pool of people to attend meetings. The DAFNE Programme Management need the input and involvement of graduates that the DUAG provides. When funding issues occur and or PCT’s need persuading of the benefits of DAFNE, graduate opinions carry more weight as they are the ‘end user’ as far as the NHS is concerned. A body to promote DAFNE to the media, PCT’s, Health bodies and basically anyone that will listen. A focal point for the DUG to feed graduate opinions back into the DAFNE Programme.