Diabetes UK: HCPs encouraged to register for free DVD vouchers for children with Type 1 diabetes

Monday, 1 February 2010 12:00 AM

'I wish something like this had been available when our daughter was first diagnosed seven years ago'

Leading health charity Diabetes UK is encouraging healthcare professionals to sign up for vouchers to give to children newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, so they can claim a free DVD starter pack.

The starter pack, Type 1 diabetes: journey of a lifetime, has been created primarily to help meet the needs of young people aged between 10 and 14 who have been newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and their families. However, the pack has also been designed to be useful to anyone recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes or as a refresher for those who have had the condition for a long time.

The DVD includes an innovative animation of the body and explanation of what diabetes is as well as information on eating well, physical activity, advice from experts in the field and stories from children with Type 1 diabetes.

The starter pack also comprises a specially-designed 36-page leaflet, information about the support Diabetes UK can offer, in particular their child support weekends, as well as a handy pocket guide designed to help both parents and children understand food labels.

Diabetes Specialist Nurse at Reading's Royal Berkshire Hospital, Kay Grint, said: "I would give this to all new patients at my discharge meeting with them as it contains the same information we discuss in hospital but where a lack of sleep and emotional stress would have made it impossible for them to remember much - it will also help parent and child confidence grow."

One parent who received the pack said: "I do wish something like this had been available when our daughter was first diagnosed seven years ago. I found the comments by the children particularly reassuring, and think any parent with a newly-diagnosed child will find comfort in the reality of hearing how a 'normal life' can be led by their child."

Diabetes UK Care Advisor Libby Dowling said: "If you work with those recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes or those who have had the condition a long time, please sign up to receive free vouchers for the starter pack. You can then hand them out to your patients so they can then receive a copy of the pack. There are no costs involved and we even pay the postage."

Register to receive vouchers at www.diabetes.org.uk/Type1DVDpack

For any other queries regarding the starter pack, please email dvdstarterpack@diabetes.org.uk

-ENDS-

Diabetes UK's Get Serious campaign aims to get as many people as possible to sign up and join them in the fight against diabetes. Visit www.diabetes.org.uk/GetSerious and simply add your name and email address to show your support.

ISDN facilities available

For further media please contact Huw Beale or Fabienne Jacquet in the Diabetes UK Media Relations Team on 0207 424 1165 or email pressteam@diabetes.org.uk.

For urgent out of hours media enquiries, please call 07711 176 028.

Notes to editor:

1 Diabetes UK is the leading charity for the three million people in the UK with diabetes. We aim to spend more than £6.5 million on research in 2010 as well as campaigning and providing information and support. For more information visit www.diabetes.org.uk

2 In the UK, there are currently 2.6 million people diagnosed with diabetes and it is estimated that up to half a million people have Type 2 diabetes but do not know it.

3 The Diabetes UK Careline (0845 120 2960) offers information and support on any aspect of managing diabetes. The line is a low cost number and opens Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (operates a translation service). Recorded information on a number of diabetes-related topics is also available on this number 24 hours a day.

4 Supporting our work to fund vital research into the care, treatment and hopefully a cure for diabetes as a Diabetes UK Supporting Member entitles you to a range of benefits including our bi-monthly magazine Balance, reliable information booklets on diabetes, our confidential Diabetes UK Careline, over 400 local Diabetes UK support groups, and access to an exclusive personalised Supporting Members Area on our website.

Search the web and raise funds for Diabetes UK at www.everyclick.com/diabetesuk/

Tags: