New Podcasts for Patients with Diabetes

A series of free podcasts by the Diabetes department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) has been launched to help improve people's self-management of their own diabetes.

Diabetes is set to rise in Norfolk consistent with national trends which show that by 2025 it is estimated that five million people will have diabetes in the UK. Increased awareness of the risks, lifestyle changes and improved self-management among people with diabetes are becoming increasingly important.

This is why NNUH has made free podcasts – or audio talks – about the condition available to patients on the hospital’s website.

Delivered by leading experts, they provide valuable advice and support on topics ranging from diabetes prevention and diagnosis, to how individuals can manage the condition in the best way and avoid complications.

There are currently seven podcasts available in the series with more due to be introduced in August.

Topics include:

o Diabetes, an introduction
o Diabetes, blood glucose testing
o Diabetes, foot care
o Diabetes, complications
o Diabetes, Annual Review for adults
o Diabetes, diet, weight and exercise
o Diabetes, prevention and diagnosis

Podcasts on the NNUH website have been available for children with diabetes since 2009, and so far they have been played nearly 16,000 times. The new series are specifically for older patients, and for those with type 2 diabetes.

Sally Watson, Diabetes Education Programme Manager, said: “This is a vital resource to promote self-management for people with diabetes. It’s free to access, and open to all of the 40,000 people with diabetes in Norfolk, not just the 4000 patients who already visit the department.”

The podcasts can be found at www.nnuh.nhs.uk/podcasts/adultdiabetes

Patients can make suggestions or comments about the podcasts or future topics by emailing ebdc.podcasts@nnuh.nhs.uk