The Trust is raising awareness of 'World Diabetes Day' on 14 November this year with an open day at the Louisa Centre in Stanley.
Members of the public are invited to drop in any time between 9am and 5pm for advice from the Trust's specialist diabetes team on lifestyle, fitness and healthy eating, as well as blood pressure and glucose testing. The Louisa Centre is located on the Front Street in Stanley, County Durham DH9 0TE.
There are more than 30,000 patients with diabetes in County Durham, and it is estimated that there are another 10,000 still not diagnosed or in the pre-diabetic stage of the disease.
Dr Paul Peter, Trust clinical lead for diabetes, said, "Raising awareness among the healthy and at risk population about the need for life style changes, including exercise and diet, is really the only way to prevent the increase in the number of diabetes patients in County Durham. We hope to do this through the screening programme and all need to work together to develop health and wellbeing in the community."
'World Diabetes Day' is held on 14 November every year and has become a globally celebrated event. The purpose is to increase awareness about diabetes - 14 November marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, together with Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1922.
'The treatment I have received from all the staff has been excellent and could you extend my thanks to them all. A very thankful and relieved patient'.
Patient, Dermatology Outpatients Department, University Hospital of North Durham