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
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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.