Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2012 | Page 108

FASHION HEALTH & BEAUTY Diabetics have a say There are nearly 6,950 people on the Island who have diabetes. Now they have a unique opportunity for their voice to be heard. It is the first time that everyone with diabetes over the age of 18 years of age has been asked to respond with their opinions on the service they receive. The responses will help to shape the services and care which is available on the Island. A diabetes questionnaire is in the process of being issued, asking patients how they feel about the diabetes services which they are receiving on the Isle of Wight, and how 108 www.visitislandlife.com improvement, if any, can be made. The questionnaire, designed by a number of people including those with diabetes is completely anonymous so healthcare professionals will not know who has responded. Ric Newnham, Chairman, Diabetes UK – Isle of Wight Voluntary Group says: “This is the best chance we diabetics have ever had to influence the medical care we receive. It is very important that you as an individual take this opportunity to report on your care and have your say.” Liz Whittingstall, NHS Isle of Wight Lead Specialist Nurse in Diabetes said: “We aim to continually improve the quality and availability of diabetes care across the Isle of Wight. We would very much value your help in completing this patient satisfaction questionnaire. Please use this opportunity to be heard and shape the care you receive.” Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 2.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 850,000 people who have the condition but don’t know it. Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in a person’s blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. This is because the pancreas does not produce any insulin, or not enough, to help glucose enter the body’s cells – or the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter the body’s cells, where it is used as fuel for energy so we can work, play and generally live our lives. It is vital for life. Glucose comes from digesting carbohydrate and is also produced by the liver. Carbohydrate comes from many different kinds of foods and drink, including starchy foods such as bread, potatoes and chapattis, as well as fruit, some dairy products, sugar and other sweet foods. Anyone with diabetes finds their body cannot make proper use of this glucose so it builds up in the blood and isn’t able to be used as fuel.