Meeting dates for 2012   (put them in your diaries now!)

15 February (meeting and AGM)   Dr Mark Cohen will also be speaking about New Developments in Diabetes medicine

18 April   Karen Hyland - Dietician

20 June  Dr Maria Barnard talking on Heart and Blood Pressure matters

12 September  Sheldon Russell, Pharmaceutical Advisor to Barnet PCT will be talking about medicines

14 November   TBC

Please check out our meetings page for any additional information

New logo

You will have noticed that there is a new logo at the top of this and other pages on the site.  This has been developed by Diabetes UK as it better represents the aims of the organisation.  You can read more about it on the Diabetes UK site.

Insulin

Walk the Extra Mile (Walk in the Park)

Congratulations to all those that took part in the Walk on Saturday 18 June.   Sorry, we could not provide good weather for you.    It is the first time since we have run this event that it has rained.

The Walk in 2012 will take place on 23 June.

Retinal screening in Barnet

Since 2005 all people with diabetes have been called to either Torrington Park Health Centre or Edgware Community Hospital for their retinal screening. This is carried out using digital retinal photography by a highly skilled team of retinal screeners. All results are quality assured and linked to the Diabetes register. There are now over 17,000 people with diabetes in Barnet.

Everyone sees their own photographs and has their results explained to them. The pictures are accessible at Barnet Hospital, Edgware Community Hospital, Torrington Park Health Centre and potentially at the Royal Free Hospital by the diabetes and eye specialists. The screening team have immediate access to the Ophthalmologists at Barnet and arrangement for treatment for retinopathy, cataract or any other condition is therefore very easy.

93% of Barnet residents with diabetes attend Retinal Screening.

Quiz Tea

Thank you to everybody that participated in the quiz night on Sunday 25th September 2011.   It was our most sucessful so well done everybody for coming along.   We will be doing it all over again (different questions though!) on Sunday 21 October.

Expert Patient Programme

Barnet residents living with long-term health conditions are being offered the chance to get greater control of their condition and improve their health with support from the Expert Patient Programme (EPP).

Free places are available on the next course which is organised by NHS Barnet. The programmes are delivered by people with experience of long-term health conditions.

The Expert Patient Programme (EPP) has been successfully running in Barnet since 2003. EPP offers individuals with long-term health conditions the opportunity to participate on a course which provides training in the self-management of their long-term health condition (e.g. diabetes, asthma, heart disease, back pain, sickle cell or any other long-term condition). Many participants also find that they make lasting friendships with their fellow participants.

The free course runs 2 ½ hours a week for six weeks and includes information about:

• Working in partnership with healthcare professionals
  
  
• Communicating with family and friends
  
  
• Planning and setting goals
  
  
• How to manage conditions
  
  
• Recognising and acting upon symptoms
  
  
• Making effective use of available treatments and medicines
  
  
• Accessing services and developing techniques in dealing with the emotional effects of the illness.


One participant who attended an EPP course said, "I found the course helpful because it has made me think in a more positive way. I find that I have come to terms with my condition and the ladies that run the course….were very nice and understanding."

Previous participants on the courses have found that they have learnt how to manage their symptoms and make the most of their life. They learn how to understand their emotions and think about nutrition, relaxation, exercise and planning. Participants frequently report that they suffer with less severe symptoms at the end of the course and have a greater feeling of control over their condition. This in turn gives them greater self confidence and a much better quality of life.

To register on a course or for further information, please contact the Expert Patients Programme Coordinator on 020 8937 7641 or e-mail Expert Patients Programme

Donating blood

Have you previously donated blood but because of your medication you have been told that you can no longer do so ?   The rules have changed, and it maybe possible for you to give once again.   Even if you have never given before this maybe a good opportunity.

Contact the local Blood Transfusion Centre (probably at Edgware Community Hospital) and find out if you are eligible to donate to this valuable service.   For further information go to www.blood.co.uk or / and call them on 0300 123 23 23.

Driving and diabetes

At the recent Conservative Party Conference, the Prime Minister made reference to an EU directive concerning driving and diabetes.

The following day Simon O’Neill, Diabetes UK's Director of Care and Advocacy was interviewed on BBC Radio 4. There is an edited transcript available from this link.  There is also a link there to the full interview. If you look to the right hand side of the Diabetes UK transcript page you will see a related link to more information about diabetes and driving.

Unwanted jewellery

A message from Colin Dexter, author of Inspector Morse.

If anyone has an odd cufflink or a watch that doesn’t tick, I urge them to send it to Diabetes UK who will then convert the old jewellery into crucial funds to support diabetes research projects.

It was Diabetes UK's 75th Anniversary in 2009, and the charity is aiming to raise £75,000 from the Old Jewellery Appeal to mark this occasion.

These numbers are rising at an alarming rate so it is important we do all we can to raise awareness of diabetes and help find a cure. You can send any unwanted jewellery to: Old Jewellery Appeal, Diabetes UK, FREEPOST LON12854, London, NW1 2YF.

Used needles

The collection of used needles kept in 'sharpsbins', is dealt with by:

London Borough of Barnet
Environmental Health        
Building 9a                           
Bittacy Hill                            
London NW7                        

telephone: 020 8359 5045  

The preferred way of storing used needles prior to collection is by using 'sharpsbins'.
These are available on prescription.