Today marks the start of Diabetes Week (9-15 June) – an annual campaign which aims to raise awareness about the things that matter to people with diabetes, and shine a light on what it’s like to live with the condition, day in, day out.
This year the focus of the campaign is on the health checks people need when they have diabetes, highlighting why they’re so important and some of the reasons people might not be getting them.
Health checks are tests to check your average blood sugar levels and how well your heart and kidneys are working, as well as check-ups on your eyes and feet. They can help spot signs of any changes early on, so you can get all the help and support you need.
The number of people getting all their checks has increased in the last few years, but more than one in three people still aren’t getting all the checks they need (National Diabetes Audit data, 2023-24, England and Wales).
There are lots of reasons people aren’t getting all their health checks, from not being invited, to a lack of appointments or long waiting times. But it’s not that simple, and there are many other factors affecting people getting the care they need.
Throughout the week Diabetes UK will be exploring some of these reasons – fear of being judged, getting time off work, and perhaps feeling that you don’t need a check-up – and sharing stories on its social channels: Facebook and X.
Community Diabetes Service out and about!
Our Community Diabetes Service supports people with type 2 diabetes in managing their condition to the best of their ability.
People may be referred to the team for a variety of reasons:
- There is a concern that their long-term blood glucose control is too high
- They might need a new form of diabetes medications
- They might be experiencing repeated episodes of low blood glucose (hypos)
- They may need help altering their diet to control their glucose.
Our Community Diabetes team has partnered up with Xyla (which runs a type 2 diabetes prevention programme) and Healthy Lifestyles, and they will be at this Friday’s Big Health Day at Oxstalls Sports Park in Gloucester.
They will also be out and about in Gloucestershire on the information bus next week, providing risk scores, blood glucose testing for those who are at risk, and generally raising awareness of type 2 diabetes. Here’s where to find them:
- Friday 13 June: Big Health Day, Oxstalls Sports Park, Gloucester
- Monday 16 June: Lydney Tesco, 10am-3pm
- Tuesday 17 June: Cirencester Livestock Market, 10am-3pm
- Wednesday 18 June: Parsonage Street, Dursley, 10am-3pm
- Thursday 19 June: Bourton-on-the-Water Co-op, 10am-3pm
