Olympian Steve Redgrave backs NNUH diabetes podcasts

Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, who was diagnosed with diabetes at 35, has given his support to a unique diabetes educational podcast programme for young people, initiated by Takeda UK in conjunction with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Following discussions with Chris Nicolaou, regional account director (RAD) at Takeda UK who developed the idea, the diabetes team at the Jenny Lind Children's Department of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital produced a series of eight lively podcasts with a group of teenagers.

Consultant paediatric diabetologist Dr Vipan Datta, the programme lead from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital said; “We were struggling with this age group. They don't talk to you; they don't read any material you give them. There’s a gap in communication, and podcasts seemed a good way to bridge it.”

Liesl Richardson, a senior diabetes specialist nurse part of the team involved in developing the podcast, added; “I think the podcasts are a fabulous addition to diabetes care for young people! We hope that teenagers and young adults will identify with the characters and the language used in the podcasts, so they will realize that they CAN take control of their diabetes and enjoy their life to the full!”

The podcasts have been developed to give non-technical advice in a style appropriate for over 14s with a view to aiding self-management of their diabetes. The podcasts can be downloaded from the Internet or iTunes and listened to online at home or on an MP3 player.

Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, a role model for patients with diabetes, has added his support to the project stating, “diabetes must live with you, NOT you live with diabetes.”

Chris Nicolaou, of Takeda UK; “One of my main objectives as a Takeda regional account director is to find innovative ways of working with the NHS to help improve patient care, and it struck me that podcasts could be put to very good use to further diabetes education. “Teenagers require considerable educational support but, conversely, are one of the hardest patient groups to access when it comes to disease management advice – especially those with chronic conditions like Type 1 diabetes.”

Produced with the help of an £8,000 educational grant from Takeda, the podcasts are available through the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals website www.nnuh.nhs.uk/podcasts/diabetes and the Apple iTunes website.

The free podcasts cover subjects ranging from myths about diabetes to ways of coping with the condition in relation to sport, drinking and sex.

More systematic patient feedback is being generated by an online survey with a prize draw for those who complete the questionnaire, and Dr Datta hopes that young patients will spread the word via social networking sites.