Diabetes- "out and about"

October 2016

Diabetes -"what a cost"
Wow, Diabetes seems to be hitting the news !  New estimated costs of Diabetes show it's likely to soar to 17% of the NHS budget and threatens to bankrupt the NHS.  By 2035, 1 in 10 people are likely to have Diabetes, estimated to be around 4.9 million people.
 (Figures Public Health England: 38-million people in England now have diabetes)

The  BBC Panorama  programme screened on Monday 3 Oct 2016 showed the serious complications  of Diabetes, the graphic pictures of lower -leg amputations stunned the public. It's now time to change our lifestyles; our bad diet and lack of exercise.
BBC panorama Diabetes

Diabetes UK road shows
 Being out and about with Diabetes roadshows has just been wonderful.  Diabetes UK  had roadshows this year in Wales in Merthyr Tydfil, Rhyl, Aberystwyth, Bridgend, Swansea,Cardiff  and Carmarthen. We have seen  1487 people with 54% referred to their GP.

We assess the risk of someone getting Diabetes by measuring their body mass index and waist measurements, and asking questions about  age, gender, ethnicity, family history of Diabetes and whether they have high blood pressure.
You can know your risk of Diabetes  for yourself at:
Know your risk DiabetesUK
It was heart warming to see so many people interested in knowing their risk, perhaps the message is getting  through and  many people from our ethnic communities also  wanting to know their risk.



Peer Support - making patients experts
It's a privilege for me to be involved with facilitating  the North Cardiff medical centre, a great  group of patients and carers wanting to know more on how to manage Diabetes. Our Wednesday, once a month sessions are all about learning for yourself. Thank you; Scott  Cawley, Mike McGuire and Andrew Crowder for leading sessions on:  Looking after your Feet, Healthy Eating, and Eyes & Diabetes. The open forum, knowledge and experience sharing, would not be complete without Eileen Doyle, our expert diabetes nurse, and Elaine Adams, my co- facilitator.
 If you would like to know more about" Peer support in Diabetes" contact me on rob.diabetesuk@gmail.com

Life science Hub -Diabetes forum
Diabetes is now on so many agendas. It was great to share a platform with  many of the UK's experts on Diabetes at the  Life Science Hub, Cardiff. 13 Oct 2016. I'm concerned we don't stigmatise patients as being fat and lazy.

Diabetes is such a complex disease and there are many causes and types. Obesity and lack of exercise are a major problem but it doesn't help when you are told you're fat and to do more exercise. Patients need help, to be educated and worked with to change their lifestyle  and  get control of their diabetes. Perhaps we need to invest in more social prescriptions.



Invite  -a patient expert
Is the rise in Diabetes a major concern? Or do you think you are at risk?
I'm more than happy to come and talk to your groups to raise  awareness of the risks of Diabetes and help bring solutions.
Contact me  Rob Lee- Diabetes at rob.diabetesuk@gmail.com or Diabetes UK cymru 02920668276 to book a talk.

Diabetes Diversity

March 2016 has been another busy  month volunteering for Diabetes UK Cymru
There have been some key highlights in raising the awareness of the issues surrounding Diabetes

Deaf club Bridgend and International women's day. I was privileged to be representing Diabetes Uk at this event. Feeling a little out of place as  I was in the minority. Firstly I could hear and I couldn't use sign language but secondly I was a bloke  and definitely stood out. However, this meeting impacted me deeply, I was so warmly welcomed and inspired by the  tremendous achievements the group had made. With the aid of a sign language interpretor I was able to let them know how Diabetes Uk can help those with Diabetes and at risk of getting it.  There were examples of people who were born deaf because their mothers had diabetes!

The Minority Ethnic Communities (MEC) Health Fair

MEC Cardiff 2016

Held every spring in Cardiff City Hall since 2010, the aim of the Fair is to provide opportunities for positive engagement between people from minority ethnic communities and health providers across the city of Cardiff. Each year the Health Fair has sought to lessen the gap between services and communities. I represented Diabetes UK at this event, together with 3 other volunteers we  assessed the risk of getting type 2 diabetes in approximately 100  people from the community. Many realised that their ethnic background increased their risk of getting type 2 diabetes

North Cardiff Peer support
This is a new initiative in Cardiff brings together patients, healthcare professionals and volunteers from Diabetes UK (trained as peer support facilitators)
Our aim is to support one another in living healthily with Diabetes
We have had 5 meetings so far discussing:

• Diabetes in general,
• Cefn Onn park initiative
• Pedal power 
• 15 health care essentials

Meetings are held once a month and encourages an open forum to discuss diabetes issues, promote good control and provide support