DIABETES patients across Coventry and Warwickshire have received vital information packs.
Local healthcare providers have teamed up with charity Diabetes UK to support those living with type 2 diabetes.
Some 5,600 newly-diagnosed patients have received packs to help manage their condition and live healthier lives.
Each one contains information including the charity’s diabetes guide, information if you’ve been recently diagnosed with the condition, how to check your feet and local information including pharmacy support and community help.
The initiative was formed by the charity along with Clinical Commissioning Groups from Coventry and Rugby, Warwickshire North and South Warwickshire.
Diabetes UK regional spokesman Peter Shorrick said: “We are all currently living in very challenging times, but if you are also living with a serious health condition like type 2 diabetes then the coronavirus situation may feel even more daunting.
“But the more knowledge and information you have to manage diabetes, the more empowered you will be to make the right choices for you to ensure you can be as healthy as possible.
“It’s been great to partner up with health providers across the county to ensure people living with type 2 diabetes are supported.”
Local CCG spokeswoman Anna Wheatley said providers hope patients will use the packs to improve their knowledge and overall health.
She told the Observer: “We know that being diagnosed can be challenging for many people and especially in this current pandemic situation that we are facing, which we know has had a greater impact on our BAME communities.
“We have a number of local support services in the area to help people manage their condition as best as they can, through online education and support from a wide range of diabetes and allied healthcare professionals.
“Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest healthcare challenges of our time, with one in six patients in hospital now having diabetes. There is strong evidence that the onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in those at high risk through improving healthy eating habits, an increase in physical activity and weight reduction.”
Visit www.diabetes.org.uk/coronavirus for more information.
