Professor Kamlesh Khunti is probably the most influential GP researcher on diabetes in the UK and his work is having a direct effect on policy.
The Leicester GP chaired the NICE guideline group that recommended that GPs should screen all patients aged 40 or older for diabetes in 2012.
These recommendations form the basis of pilots launched by NHS England, with a view to rolling out a national scheme next year, whereby GP practices will assess the diabetes risk of millions of patients, including possible contractual incentiv
Professor Khunti, professor of primary care diabetes and vascular medicine at the University of Leicester, is on the expert group guiding the scheme, but critics have warned the programme risks ‘exaggerating’ expected reductions in diabetes incidence from planned lifestyle interventions – such as Zumba and cooking classes – and called for more efforts to build physical activity into people’s everyday lives as well as tighter regulation of the food and drinks industries.
Professor Khunti says that his highlights of the year include his input into the National Diabetes Prevention Programme and being included at number 10 on the influential global diabetes researchers list at the American Diabetes Association’s Conference. He also received a lifetime achievement award for diabetes research in June from the British Association Of Physicians Of Indian Origin.
He says: ‘I would like to thank my family and all the wonderful research and teaching staff at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, in particular my close friend and co-director Professor Melanie Davies.’
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