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.