26th edition – Friday, February 27, 2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Medical exemption certificates petition launched

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Diabetes care boosted at Exeter hospital

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Diabetes UK in hunt for ‘Clinical Champions’

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New thresholds for diagnosis of diabetes in pregnancy

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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.

#Medicinegetsbetter – Dr Partha Kar’s latest blog post

It's actually Helgi's fault. Yep, pure and simple – a chap otherwise known as @traumagasdoc on twitter. He got me started when we discussed whether things got better in medicine – and to be honest, reminiscing...would I do it again...yep, without a doubt – and Helgi as ever, eloquently put his thoughts down

So here's my tuppence worth. I was a House officer, then a Senior House Officer for nearly three years then became a Specialist Registrar for five years – with two years added on doing research- and you know what? It's been quite a ride. I am not going to get sucked into those puerile debates about "in my days" – I interact with juniors enough to know that the fire of dedication, the urge to work hard and do good is exactly in the same proportion as we had in "our days". It's not their fault if hours have changed,training have shortened – within those limitations, all junior docs are as hard working as ever or at least the proportion isn't any different.

Do they moan more? Well – it's more public now – why? Because we have social media – on twitter, in 140 characters, you can offload your angst, grief, frustration – which to many may seem like moaning. To the bystanders, I was no different. We used to do it in a pub, among friends, complain about the system – the opportunity for it being public simply wasn't there. If there was, would it be any different from now? Probably not.

To read more, click here.

Medical exemption certificates petition launched

A petition has been launched for all people with Type 1 diabetes to be issued with certificates providing them with free access to diabetes medication for life.

Gavin Griffiths, a 23-year-old athlete with Type 1 diabetes who raises money for diabetes charities through a range of fitness challenges, launched the petition through his website diathlete.org.

To read more, click here.

Diabetes care boosted at Exeter hospital

The number of people with diabetes seen by specialists at an Exeter hospital has more than doubled thanks to a pioneering assessment and referral system.

The initiative at the MacLeod Diabetes & Endocrine Centre at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust allows ward nurses to complete three referrals in three ‘clicks’ to three specialists. To read more, click here.

Diabetes UK in hunt for ‘Clinical Champions’

Diabetes UK is looking for 16 enthusiastic clinicians who want to be local ‘Clinical Champions’ and deliver the leadership to improve services for people with diabetes.

The roles are open to any healthcare professional experienced in treating the complex needs of people with diabetes and with the potential to lead real change, including consultants, GPs, nurses and senior pharmacists. To read more, click here.

New thresholds for diagnosis of diabetes in pregnancy

The thresholds GPs use for diagnosing pregnant women with gestational diabetes should be lowered, according to updated NICE guidelines.

It is being advised that if a pregnant woman has a fasting plasma glucose level of 5.6 mmol/litre or above, or a 2-hour plasma glucose level of 7.8 mmol/litre or above they should be diagnosed. To read more, click here.

DIABETES DIGEST

Type 1 rugby hero returns to England squad

JDRF supporter and rugby star Chris Pennell, who lives with Type 1 diabetes, has returned to England’s squad for the Six Nations.

As full-back cover for another player recovering from concussion, he’s now got a chance to edge back into the team after being injured himself at the end of last year. To read more, click here.

Self-care to be promoted at conference

Structured education is the only “long-term answer” available to the NHS in meeting the challenge posed by the increase in prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, the Director of DESMOND has said.

Bernie Stribling said structured education programmes are a proven method to enable supported self-care in diabetes.

Bernie was speaking ahead of the Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2015, which takes place between March 11 and 13, where DESMOND will be part of the Self-Care Village. To read more, click here.

Awards kick off at national conference

The 2015 Quality in Care (QiC) Diabetes awards programme will be launched at this year’s Diabetes UK conference. The event takes place at London’s ExCeL between March 11 and 13.

Emma Clear, Quality in Care programme co-ordinator, said: “Visit stand D24 where you can speak to the QiC team and learn more about the programme and how you can enter the great projects and initiatives you’re working on." To read more, click here.

Filmmaker to host Facebook chat

A filmmaker who has documented his father’s battle with diabetes is taking part in a social media Q & A on Sunday, March 1.

Anthony Whittington and his dad Geoff Whittington will be answering questions from the diabetes community between 7pm and 8 pm on the Diabetes.co.uk Facebook page.

For more information, cliick here.