World Diabetes Day - Durham hosts large screening & awareness raising event

Join us in Durham Market Place on Wednesday 14 November 2012 between 11am - 6pm to mark World Diabetes Day. We'll be offering screening tests, advice and information on living with the condition including the importance of foot and eye care, as well as healthy eating demonstrations from our 'Cook 4 Life' team.

There are more than 40, 000 patients with diabetes in County Durham. In addition there are still a significant number of patients, undiagnosed with diabetes. 

In those patients diagnosed with diabetes, while the general care is good, the rate of lower limb amputations is high across the UK and County Durham. This is mainly due to poor awareness amongst both patients and clinicians on the importance of early detection and appropriate intervention in diabetes patients with active foot ulcers.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are closely related. The rates for obesity in the north east are quite high.

Lifestyle change and raising public awareness of these two issues are the best ways to prevent and improve the quality of life of those patients living with diabetes.

As part of World Diabetes Day, the diabetes teams from County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) will be organising a screening and awareness campaign in the Market Place, Durham.

Dr Paul Peter, consultant diabetologist for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are keen to reach out to the general public to let them know how vitally important it is to get screened for diabetes. Many people are unaware where they can get this done, and they do not realise how important it is to also screen feet, eyes and kidneys yearly.

"Whatever questions anyone may have, we are happy to help. So come along and give it a try!"

The diabetes team will be offering a spot check of blood sugars, blood pressure and if people are agreeable weight and BMI.

Debbie Calland, lead diabetes specialist nurse for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: "We want to help educate people to recognise the signs and symptoms of diabetes for themselves. In many cases the illness can be prevented through lifestyle changes in diet and exercise."

A team from the bariatric service and the health improvement team from the health trust will also be taking part to bring more information on obesity and how to introduce major lifestyle changes.

The 'Cook for life' team will also be hosting 'healthy cooking' demonstrations.

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. 

World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the themed campaigns last the whole year, the day itself is celebrated on November 14, to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.

Diabetes Education and Prevention is the World Diabetes Day theme for the period 2009-2013.