Dr Hillson was National Clinical Director for Diabetes from 2008 - 2013. She was responsible for working to improve the care of 2.6 million people with diabetes in England through the continued delivery of the National Service Framework for Diabetes.From 1989 - 2012 she was a Consultant Physician with an interest in Diabetes & Endocrinology at The Hillingdon Hospital, Uxbridge where she established a successful district-wide diabetes service. She was awarded the MBE in 2006.In 1981 Dr Hillson pioneered Outward Bound® courses for people with diabetes, with the Outward Bound Trust and British Diabetic AssociationShe has published scientific papers and books on diabetes for patients and professionals, winning numerous writing awards.