Paris opens first integrated diabetes care centre in Europe

Paris has unveiled a major new medical centre dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care of people living with diabetes - a model its founders say is unprecedented in Europe.

The Diabet’ hub, launched in the 13th arrondissement near Place d’Italie, brings together under one roof a full range of health professionals involved in diabetes care. Its goal is to simplify what can otherwise be a fragmented and time-consuming treatment journey for patients, who traditionally see multiple specialists across different locations.

The project was founded by Dr. Eliott Hergat, a general practitioner who created the startup Diabet’ to address gaps in the current system. Hergat explained that the concept’s uniqueness lies in its seamless integration of care. 

“Diabet’ brings together medical care, therapeutic education and continuous patient follow-up in one place,” he said. “What makes it truly original is the genuine integration of the care pathway: doctors, patient journeys and digital tools work together seamlessly, with no breaks in care.”

Paris was chosen for the inaugural centre due to its dense population of patients and specialists, as well as its mature medical ecosystem.

“It was the most demanding and relevant environment in which to test and structure the model before a wider rollout,” Hergat said.

The facility occupies 428 square metres, featuring 16 consultation rooms and a dedicated educational space for therapeutic training. 

Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can access a wide range of specialists including general practitioners, diabetologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, ophthalmologists, nutritionists, and paramedical professionals such as nurses, podiatrists, and dieticians. Psychologists are also available to help patients manage the mental and emotional challenges of living with a chronic condition.

On average, a diabetic patient in France currently makes between nine and 13 consultations per year, often navigating appointments at multiple locations. By housing all disciplines in one centre, Diabet’ aims to streamline care, improve coordination between specialists, and reduce delays in follow-up.

Hergat highlighted the inspiration behind the integrated model: “Diabetes is not managed solely during medical consultations. This approach was born out of a gap between the real-life complexity faced daily by patients and practitioners, and a care pathway that is too fragmented and partial, leading to many avoidable complications as well as increased morbidity and healthcare costs.”

The hub is designed to serve 10,000 to 15,000 patients annually, approximately 280 consultations per day, and has already attracted attention beyond the capital. Diabetes affects an estimated 4.6 million people in France, about 6.5 per cent of the population, with around 660,000 patients in the Île-de-France region alone.

Looking ahead, Diabet’ plans to expand nationally and internationally, adapting its model to local medical and regulatory frameworks.

“Opening in the UK would make sense for us, as we already work with Semble, a medical software platform that originated there,” Hergat said. A specialised unit focused on the diabetes care of mothers and children is also scheduled to open in 2026.

As France and other countries face rising rates of diabetes and related complications, the Diabet’ centre represents a bold experiment in patient-centred care, offering a one-stop environment designed to make life easier for people living with a chronic disease that affects millions.