Government wants views on diabetes
February 7, 2005
Diabetes patients are having their say in a national
online debate about the way they are cared for.
The live link-up was launched last week at North Tyneside
Hospital's Diabetes Centre.
It will bring together patients, carers, clinicians
and policy-makers to help shape diabetes care around
people's needs and experiences.
The aim is to make sure the best care and support for
diabetes patients is available right across the country
and ensure that everyone has access to information and
education that will help them to manage their disease.
Dr Sue Roberts, national clinical director for diabetes
and a consultant at Northumbria Healthcare Trust, said:
"When the National Service Framework on Diabetes
was launched two years ago one of the key objectives
was to look at the variations in care around the country.
"Reading the comments so far on the internet it
is extremely sad and distressing to hear of cases where
people are suffering in one place when others describe
the excellent care they get for the same problem elsewhere.
The infor-mation provided by patients via this link-up
will be helpful in tackling this, identifying areas
of best practice and also areas where there are gaps
in the service.
"It also demonstrates what an excellent source
of advice and support people with diabetes can be for
each other."
Diabetes is a common health condition affecting around
three in every 100 people.
A further one million people are estimated to be living
with the disease without even realising it. Muriel Grist,
74, from Wallsend, was diagnosed with type-two diabetes
14 years ago.
Explaining why she went along to North Tyneside's Diabetes
Centre to take part in the debate, she said: "This
is a real opportunity for users of the service to let
the Government know exactly what we need.
"We have a fantastic service here at North Tyneside
but I still don't think there is enough money being
allocated for diabetes care."
Patience Wilkes, 62, a retired nurse from North Tyneside,
said: "Nationally, there's still a lack of communication
and information for diabetes patients and I think this
debate will help to change that."
Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell also attended the launch
of the debate.
He said: "I would encourage everyone in North
Tyneside to get involved and engage in the vital debate
on diabetes, which affects so many in my constituency."
The online debate continues until the end of February
and the final report will be presented to the Diabetes
Minister, Rosie Winterton, on March 16. To take part
in the debate go to www.tellparliament.net/ diabetes
Know the insulin facts
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus occurs when there is excessive amounts
of glucose (sugar) present in the blood, because the
body cannot use it properly.
An estimated 1.4 million people are diagnosed with
diabetes in the UK, but a further one million people
are undiagnosed.
There are two types of diabetes:
Type 1 (insulin dependant) where the body is unable
to produce any insulin.
Type 2 (non-insulin dependant) where the body is able
to produce insulin, but not enough or the insulin produced
does not work properly (known as insulin resistance).
What causes Diabetes?
Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such
as bread, rice, potatoes, and from sugar and other sweet
foods and from the liver which makes glucose.
Insulin is the hormone that helps the glucose to enter
the cells where it is used as fuel.
Without insulin or very little of it, this process
cannot take place, creating a build-up of sugar in the
blood.
The symptoms of diabetes include:
Increased thirst, tiredness, low energy levels, unexplained
weight loss, blurred vision and going to the toilet
all the time especially at night.
There are complications that may arise from diabetes.
One in four may go on to develop kidney disease, and
eight percent of diabetics are receiving some sort of
treatment for this.
People with diabetes are also two to four times more
likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
Can Diabetes be treated?
It can be managed by a combination of healthy diet,
regular physical activity and sometimes tablets and
insulin.
Early treatment reduces the chances of developing serious
problems.
*Information from www.bbc.co.uk/health/ conditions/diabetes/
To find out more about diabetes and how to lead a healthier
lifestyle ask your GP or practice nurse or contact the
charity Diabetes UK: (0845) 120 2960 (available Mon-Fri
9am-5pm) or go to www.diabetes.org.uk
Trials to upgrade care of patients
Diabetes patients in Tyneside are taking part in the
world's biggest treatment trial.
To make life better for sufferers, health experts in
North Tyneside and Newcastle are running a new study.
Called DESMOND - Diabetes education self-management
and ongoing newly-diagnosed - the trial will chart the
progress of a group of patients following structured
group education programmes and a group who do not.
The results of the year-long trial will then be used
to compile the first nationally-recognised guidelines
for managing Type Two diabetes.
Lindsay Oliver, consultant dietician in diabetic care
for the Northumbria Healthcare Trust, leading the project
at North Tyneside General Hospital, said: "The
results we get from this trial will be extremely important
as it will lead to patients being able to do more for
themselves. With such a big increase in the number of
cases of diabetes, especially Type Two, there is growing
pressure on care staff."
Source:http://icteesside.icnetwork.co.uk
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