32nd edition – Friday, May 22, 2015

Web Version

Forward

TABLE OF CONTENTS

•

Diabetes passports for schools launched

•

NHS boss pledges action on Type 2 diabetes

•

Group calls for access to psychological support

•

Ninjabetic – It just seems so obvious to have a plan

DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL?

GET IN TOUCH

Email your diabetes stories to editor Oliver Jelley.

Join the expanding diabetes community on Twitter and follow us for the latest diabetes news updates at @DiabetesTimes.

Priority – Dr Partha Kar’s latest blog post

Those who know me can vouch for one thing. I don't do pessimism...very rarely....mischievous? yes...wind up people?...always with a smile...but pessimism? Nope...it's all about the art of what can be done. I am not even going to try and do mock modesty but backed by supportive CCGs, primary care colleagues and just a ridiculously good team, we have achieved changes in diabetes care – which others have looked at with admiration or jealousy...depending on the personality. And we have carried on regardless...

But you know what...in spite of the obvious blazing confidence, in the heart of hearts, you know what's coming over the hill is making that all-confident smile get tinged with a bit of wryness, a bit of grimace is probably starting to set in. And it's not the politicians or the media who I am sceptical of...they are doing, what their ideology drives them to...that's life, that's the harshness of what we live with. Have said before, a change in political colour would have made no difference to where we stand now...so it's not about petty politics, it's not about ideology – though some may choose to differ...the fact remains that no one and I mean no one had the foggiest idea or bravery to set out a discussion with the public that maybe, just maybe we can't deliver everything anymore. To read more, click here.

Car rally raises £126,000 for JDRF

A four-day rally is on track to raise a stunning £126,000 to support JDRF's Type 1 diabetes research.

Over 300 participants took part in the Scumrun car rally across Europe. To read more, click here.

Diabetes passports for schools launched

Schools are being encouraged to adopt a new diabetes ‘passport’ to help drive up standards of care for pupils with the condition.

Launched by the InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT), the booklet is available to teachers across the country in a move to help schools meet new legislation and improve diabetes care.

The Parents Passport for Schools has been designed to provide a means by which parents can formally let schools know how to manage their child’s diabetes and in turn support schools to comply with special educational needs (SEN) regulations, as well as informing teachers about the condition. To read more, click here.

NHS boss pledges action on Type 2 diabetes

The health service needs to take urgent action to prevent “condemning our children to a rising tide of avoidable diabetes”, the Chief Executive of the NHS has said.

Simon Stevens said the NHS needed to take “concrete, comprehensive, and sometimes controversial action” on three broad fronts – prevention, care and sustainability – to make it fit for the future. To read more, click here.

Group calls for access to psychological support

Everybody with diabetes should have access to psychological support, according to a national conference held last week.

When someone is diagnosed with a life-long condition such as diabetes access to psychological support can be limited, but a national group of diabetes psychologists is calling for access for all.

The group’s lead Clare Shaban, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, said: “Managing diabetes is all about behaviour and psychology is all about understanding people’s behaviour and barriers to self care. It’s about working with the thoughts and feelings behind behavior. To read more, click here.

Ninjabetic – It just seems so obvious to have a plan

Walking into my consultant’s room I spotted a pillow and a tourniquet that had been placed on his desk. Eyeing it up with a sudden rush of panic and a longing to back out of the room, I knew what was coming…

After some waterworks, a nail-biting few seconds of digging around for a not-so-superficial vein and a few distracting stories from Dr C about “the olden days”, the blood test was over and I was suitably embarrassed about my mascara stained face. Note to self… wear waterproof mascara to each appointment from now on.

To read more, click here.

DIABETES DIGEST

Diabetes awards deadline approaching

The deadline for the 2015 Quality in Care (QiC) Diabetes programme is less than one week away.

Teams and individuals working within the field of diabetes have until 5pm on Thursday, May 28, to register entries. To read more, click here.

Seasonal 'link' to Type 1 diabetes

JDRF researchers at the University of Cambridge have found evidence that our immune systems change with the seasons – a finding that may suggest a seasonal link to Type 1 diabetes. To read more, click here.

Early detection of Type 2 diabetes may reduce heart disease and mortality

Screening to identify Type 2 diabetes followed by early treatment could result in substantial health benefits, according to new research. To read more, click here.

Footcare conference

The 'Diabetic Foot Disease: Early detection, prevention, and modern management' connference takes place on Wednesday July 1, 2015. It is being organised by Dr Gerry Rayman: President of Diabetes & Endocrine Section of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Diabetes author in book festival talk

Author Dr David Cavan will be talking about his bestselling book ‘Reverse Your Diabetes’ at the Bradford Literature Festival this weekend. To read more, click here.

Editor in half-marathon challenge for diabetes charity

The editor of The Diabetes Times will be running 14 miles in June to raise funds for the InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT).

It is the second year Oliver Jelley will be taking on the challenge of running from Market Harborough to Northampton, as part of the charity’s ‘Striding out for Diabetes’ campaign.

To read more, click here.