36th edition – New technology could end finger pricking

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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New technology could end finger pricking

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More than 135 diabetes amputations every week

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Ninjabetic – me before my illness

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Date for Hypo Awareness Week 2015

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‘Nonsensical’ type 2 draft guidelines to be revisited

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What gives? – Dr Partha Kar’s latest blog post

The plates are shifting.. .slowly and surely, they once again are moving to a head. Some sterling work by Shaun Lintern has shown that NICE is ready to publish nursing safe staffing levels – which undoubtedly will put pressure on NHS England to either adapt or reject. A political hot potato – this will indeed be a difficult one to juggle as one either runs the risk of ignoring NICE... or there has to be pretty good reason to ignore it- at a time when mid Staffs etc have highlighted the importance of safe staffing and the impact on patient safety otherwise.

To read more, click here.

Artificial pancreas to be unveiled for first time

A ground-breaking device created to provide the right amount of insulin when needed is to go on display in the UK for the first time, it has been announced.

The artificial pancreas will be showcased at the prestigious Science Museum in London as part of the Who Am I? exhibition for the next three months.

To read more, click here.

MP calls for more diabetes research

Northampton South MP David Mackintosh has called for government action on diabetes research funding.

The politician attended a special tour of a diabetes research lab at King’s College London, arranged by Diabetes UK.

To read more, click here.

New technology could end finger pricking

Pioneering technology created by a team at the University of Leeds could mean people with diabetes may no longer need to draw blood to monitor their glucose levels.

The small device, which has been fitted with low-powered lasers, has been developed by Professor Gin Jose and a team at the University of Leeds. To read more, click here.

More than 135 diabetes amputations every week

New figures have revealed the number of diabetes-related amputations in England has now reached an all-time record high of 135 a week, according to new analysis by Diabetes UK.

The figures, calculated using new Public Health England data, show that the annual number of diabetes-related amputations in England is now more than 7,000, compared to the previous figure of 6,677. This equates to seven more amputations each week. Yet, with good diabetes and footcare, up to 80 per cent of these amputations can be avoided. To read more, click here.

Ninjabetic – me before my illness

My local commissioner has just asked me a question that made me well up…but before anyone thinks the worst, I’m happy about this. You see, she was the first person (in the 13 years I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes) to ever ask me why I didn’t attend my appointments in the past.

Being asked that simple question has made me realise that for the past three years I’ve been telling people the reasons for why I did not attend (DNA), but no one has actually asked me. That realisation has come as a shock to me, especially with recent discussions about the importance of providing patient-centred care. There is still so much to do. To read more, click here.

Date for Hypo Awareness Week 2015

Hypo Awareness Week 2015 will take place from October 5 to 11, it has been announced.

The campaign raises awareness of hypoglycaemia in the inpatient setting with the aim of helping hospital staff recognise and treat symptoms and refer patients to appropriate care teams. To read more, click here.

‘Nonsensical’ type 2 draft guidelines to be revisited

NICE has reopened the consultation on its new draft guidelines for type 2 diabetes in response to calls made from the diabetes community. To read more, click here.

DIABETES DIGEST

BBC drama slammed over diabetes portrayal

The finale of the popular BBC One series The Syndicate has been criticised by some fans on Twitter who are angry over the “misrepresentation” of diabetes in the storyline. To read more, click here.

Epic cycling challenge raises £7k

A cyclist has completed an epic challenge pedalling constantly for more than 27 hours to raise £7,000 for Diabetes UK.

John Grumitt, from Chiswick, took part in the Styrkeproven, which is a 339 mile (545km) journey from Trondheim to Oslo in Norway. On his Just Giving site, John explained the distance was the equivalent of the London to Brighton bike ride, there and back, three times, continuously. To read more, click here.

Ulcer treatment could benefit diabetes

A scientific breakthrough which speeds up the healing process of skin ulcers has been unveiled.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Biomedical Science found that the use of a low-intensity ultrasound could speed healing up to a third. To read more, click here.

Doctors call for sugar tax

An extra 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks should be introduced to tackle the obesity crisis, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.

To read more, click here.

UK teen diabetes ambassador to lobby US congress

A 13-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes is heading to the United States of America to meet with Congress to share her experiences of living with the condition. To read more, click here.

Diabetes forum reaches new milestone

The UK’s largest community website and forum for people living with diabetes has reached more than 200,000 likes on Facebook. To read more, click here.