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Victory in campaign to cancel diabetes fines

People with diabetes who have been unfairly fined for claiming free prescriptions will be reimbursed, it has been confirmed on the back of a Diabetes UK campaign.

Since September 2014, thousands of people with diabetes have been fined up to £100 for not having a valid medical exemption certificate. The need for a medical exemption certificate had been poorly communicated to people with diabetes for years. Many people had claimed free prescriptions without any problems since they were first diagnosed without having a certificate.

Following campaigning by the charity, Health Minister Dan Poulter has instructed the NHS Business Service Authority (NHS BSA) to write to people who have been issued with a penalty charge explaining how they can get the penalty charge cancelled or refunded. To read more, click here.

Ninjabetic – complications aren’t just physical

A diabetes consultant suggested that for this month’s column I write about psychological support in diabetes care. I considered it and initially I was unsure of how to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). My reason for being unsure? I haven’t had any personal experience in this area. My reason for not diverting to a different topic? I haven’t had any personal experience in this area…

My journey with diabetes began when I was 16 years old. After being misdiagnosed, the blow of Type 1 diabetes was dealt to me whilst on holiday in Disney Land. As I lay disorientated on a stretcher, being airlifted to intensive care, the only thoughts I could process were of the excruciating pain that I was experiencing. My only pleading hope was that I wanted it to end and if that meant that I ended too, then so be it. To read more, click here.

SGLT-2 inhibitor backed by NICE for treating Type 2 diabetes

A new treatment for Type 2 diabetes has been recommended for the NHS by health watchdog NICE.

Empagliflozin, also known as Jardiance, has been recommended as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes when taken with metformin, only if the person:

  • Cannot take a type of drug called a sulfonylurea or
  • Is at significant risk of hypoglycaemia or its consequences.

To read more, click here.

Diabetes awards programme open for entries

The 2015 Quality in Care (QiC) Diabetes programme is now open for entry to teams and individuals working within the field of diabetes.

Now in its fifth year, QiC Diabetes promotes good practice in diabetes care with an awards ceremony taking place in the autumn.

Emma Clear, Quality in Care programme co-ordinator, said: "A QiC award means that your work can be fully acknowledged as improving the quality of life for people living with diabetes." To read more, click here.