Hospital diabetes awareness event takes over the Forum
Free, potentially life-changing health advice is being offered to people with diabetes at a special event in Norwich.
Diabetes experts from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital have organised an information and awareness day at The Forum, Norwich, on Wednesday 19th November 2014. Members of the public can ask for advice on any diabetes-related topics – from diet and weight management, to stopping smoking and foot health.
The event runs from 10am until 4pm, and there will be a wide range of staffed information stands from the Norfolk and University Norwich Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other relevant organisations, including: Diabetes UK, dieticians, Active Norfolk, Smokefree Norfolk, Patient Supporters and Champions and NNUH Eye screening information.
New health advice films for patients with Type 2 diabetes will be shown at the event and are also available at: https://new.nnuh.nhs.uk/Dept.asp?ID=921&q=diabetes,videos
Dr Francesca Swords, a diabetes specialist at the hospital, says: “It is World Diabetes Day today and we really wanted to raise awareness of healthy eating and healthy living for people with diabetes to help people self-manage and keep well.
“The films we have made focus on Type 2 diabetes as this is more prevalent, but anyone with questions or seeking advice about diabetes is welcome to the event on Wednesday. We will also have with us on the day some fantastic organisations and agencies that can help and support people with managing their diabetes.”
Note to Editors:
• It is estimated that about 70,000 people in Norfolk will have diabetes by 2030.
• About 10% of the diabetes population have Type 1 and 90% have Type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that there are more than 2.25 million diabetes patients in the UK.
• Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar (glucose) level to become too high. The hormone insulin – produced by the pancreas – is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose in the blood. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 – where the pancreas doesn't produce any insulin; Type 2 – where the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body’s cells don't react to insulin.