The Lancet profiles King’s Consultant

27 August 2025 - Professor Khalida Ismail talks about her work to integrate mental health into diabetes care

The September 2025 edition of Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology features a profile interview with Professor Khalida Ismail, Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, Diabetes and Endocrinology at King’s, focusing on her work to embed mental health support within diabetes care.

King’s provides coordinated, all-round support for people with diabetes, including treatment and education, as well as an active research programme.

During her career, which spans over 20 years, Khalida has led service innovations at the Trust to improve care for diabetes patients, and was also one of the developers of the UK’s first diabetes and eating disorders service.

Khalida said: “Physicians often underestimate the psychological burden of diabetes, whilst psychiatrists focus on the mental health needs of the patient. Challenging this, introducing new ways of transformative care, and supporting staff at all levels to recognise that mental and physical health are equally important, have been at the heart of my work.”

The September 2025 issue of Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology is available here.