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Posted on 22 Jun 2015

Nottinghamshire Healthcare is supporting Diabetes Awareness Week from 14 – 20 June to raise awareness of the condition and a reminder that those with diabetes are not alone and support is available.

During the week, the Nutrition and Dietetics Department of County Health Partnerships (CHP), part of Nottinghamshire Healthcare, will launch a new free NHS course for people with Type 2 diabetes living in Mansfield, Ashfield, Newark and Sherwood. The first of 70 sessions for patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes will commence from 17 June 2015.

The DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) programme, which has been tried and tested in different locations across the country, is a six-hour course designed to help people gain an understanding of the condition and provide practical skills to manage it effectively. 

Sarah Kostewicz, CHP Diabetes Educator said “Type 2 diabetes can be devastating if poorly managed with complications including blindness, heart disease and foot amputations.  It develops when your body is unable to produce enough insulin, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly. However with the right knowledge and education these risks can be minimized. 

“The DESMOND programme is about changing people's lifestyles so that they can manage their diabetes.  Throughout the course we will talk about how diet and exercise affects the body, the amount of glucose in foods, portion sizes and food labels.  We want to inform people so they can make their own choices.

“There are misunderstandings about diabetes and some people don't realize the seriousness of the condition.  The programme also provides an opportunity to meet other people with Type 2 diabetes.”

Each course will be delivered by qualified healthcare professionals in a group to increase healthcare professional contact time and also encourage positive interactions between group members.

Bernie Stribling, DESMOND National Director, said: “People with diabetes have a demanding condition to manage, yet on average they see a healthcare professional for an hour a year only.

“Structured education programmes are a proven method to enable supported self-care in diabetes. Based on a solid bed of evidence, DESMOND provides a blueprint to maximise the precious contact time between a healthcare professional and their patient – ensuring the person can leave with an agreed set of goals addressing their needs based on their latest test results.”

It is estimated that more than one in 17 people in the UK has diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed). Most of these cases will be Type 2 diabetes because of our ageing population and rapidly rising numbers of overweight and obese people. (Diabetes UK).
If you are interested in attending this course please contact your GP or health professional.  Further information on the DESMOND programme can be found at www.desmond-project.org.uk

Providing more education and awareness to help people remain healthy and prevent ill health is part of a new Self-Care Strategy within ‘Better Together', a health and social care transformation programme across Mansfield, Ashfield, Newark and Sherwood.  For more information on Better Together and the Self-Care Strategy visit www.bettertogethermidnotts.org.uk