Diabetes UK wants feedback from WHSCT area

Working in partnership with the Western Trust, Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, is keen to establish a group of people to be a critical friend to the Trust and suggest ways in which services could be improved.

Gillian Moffett, Volunteer Development Officer for Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to work in partnership with the Trust on this initiative.

“It is only by asking the people who actually use the services that the Trust can ensure they work effectively and put in place measures, even small things, that can improve the service and make it easier for people living with diabetes in the area.”

The leading health charity is interested to hear from anyone aged 18 or over with either Type 1 or 2 diabetes who uses the WHSCT Services.

The initiative is expected to last for 18 months with approximately four meetings a year and locations varying across the Trust area. Travel expenses will be paid to all volunteers and the group can be anything up to 20 people in size.

Anyone interested in joining the Group should contact Gill Moffett on 028 9066 6646 for a role description and application form. Gill will also be happy to provide any information or answer any queries that anyone may have. Completed application forms must be returned by Tuesday, August 31.

Diabetes is a serious condition where the amount of glucose in your blood is too high. Insulin controls the levels of glucose in the blood. People with Type 1 diabetes do not produce any insulin.

People with Type 2 diabetes may produce some insulin but not enough, or the insulin is not working properly (this is known as insulin resistance).

If diabetes is not managed effectively and the blood glucose levels do not stay as close to normal as possible it can lead to long-term complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation. Diabetes kills more people in the UK than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

Diabetes UK is the charity for people with diabetes, funding 6 million of medical research in 2010 and providing information and support to the 66,000 people living with diabetes in Northern Ireland.

It is estimated a further 12,500 people have diabetes but are unaware of it. The symptoms include increased thirst, passing urine frequently, extreme tiredness, weight loss and blurred vision. Anyone experiencing symptoms who think they may have diabetes should visit their GP as soon as they can.

Diabetes UK’s Get Serious campaign aims to get as many people as possible to sign up and join them in the fight against diabetes. Visit www.diabetes.org.uk/GetSerious and simply add your name and email address to show your support.