Dr Partha Kar has been a Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust since 2008. He has been the Clinical Director of Diabetes from 2009-2015, being part of a multiple national award-winning department (HSJ Awards / BMJ Awards) due to its services and care provided.
One of his main areas or passion is in helping to redesign diabetes care in an attempt to integrate chronic disease management across primary and secondary care. He is the pioneer of the Super Six Diabetes Model which aims to deliver diabetes care differently. He is an avid user of social media such as twitter (@parthaskar) to engage with patients - and been recognised as a "Social media Pioneer" by HSJ in 2014. Recent innovations have involved the Hypoglycaemia Hotline, which was recognised in the Guardian Healthcare Awards 2013.
He is also the co-creator of TAD talks (Talking About Diabetes) and the Type 1 Diabetes comic (“Origins”)- while also involved in setting up a Type 1 Diabetes information portal (T1resources.uk)
He is also Associate National Clinical Director, Diabetes with NHS England leading on digital innovation.
1) What is your current position?
I am a Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology- working at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. I am also the Associate National Clinical Director, Diabetes with NHS England.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Possibly ending up as a doctor and a Consultant- something my parents had always dreamt of. Beyond that, setting up a different model of care for diabetes patients- and seeing outcomes improve has definitely made me proud.
3) What inspires you?
Role models who have made it the hard way, in spite of obstacles and barriers. I always admire self-made people- Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan is certainly an inspiration. I like his drive, motivation and never-say-never attitude.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Working in this country, the racial bias has been an issue- you always seem to have to work doubly hard and there always seem to be the need to “prove” yourself- whatever stage of one’s career one has been in. Its perhaps improving but it’s certainly something which has been an obstacle.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
Without a doubt, it’s been my parents. Always been there, always working hard to ensure I had a decent life- irrespective of what they had to sacrifice to enable me to have that. They have and continue to be a guiding light for me- and their influence has been huge.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
I suspect it's the ability to meet so many people from different walks of life. Listening to patients and their carers have given me the drive needed to try to make change. The opportunity to meet so many HCPs with similar focus has been very helpful- while this job also enables you to meet entrepreneurs and innovators- which can be a mixed bad- but nonetheless-always interesting!
7) And the worst?
Can’t say anything bad about it to be honest. So far, it’s been a fantastic experience- whether it be as a Consultant or working with NHS England. If one had to pick one, its armchair critics who would pass judgements- either based on opinions without facts or indeed without having any experience of either working within the NHS or having any understanding of diabetes
8) What are your long-term goals?
I genuinely am keen to improve diabetes care- on many levels. I would like to raise awareness about clear distinction about the different types of diabetes, help to improve access to specialist care, try and modernise education programmes, help in improving prevention of type 2 diabetes- and simple things like improving relations between the different silos of healthcare. If we can do even a part of that, care will improve a fair bit!
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change? I would perhaps look at a wider debate regards funding of health & social care. Is the present allocation enough? Does it need to change?
If not, do we need to stop something or prioritise certain areas ahead of others? Involving all political parties would be key-as the issue of the NHS, in my opinion at least, should cut across political ideologies.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
The man hasn’t been confined to history yet- but Barack Obama would be a choice without question. You talk about adversity, you talk about battling against odds…there’s a man for you.. Plus he is inherently cool, a man with style and panache- it would be a great fun time being on a desert island with him- chewing the fat, discussing politics, learning about strength of character- you may have guessed I admire him a fair bit.
