Call for Newry’s diabetes community to join Diabetes Network and help shape services
The Diabetes Network for Northern Ireland is seeking people living with diabetes or carers to help them shape diabetes services across the region.
If you are living with diabetes or caring for someone who does, your voice and experiences can really help make a difference.
The Diabetes Network for Northern Ireland are particularly interested in people living with Type 2 diabetes and those who have recently been diagnosed as they have been under-represented in the past on the Network.
The Diabetes Network for Northern Ireland was established in 2016 and brings together people living with diabetes, their carers and health and social care professionals to work in partnership on the design and delivery of better diabetes services.
The Network is led by the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) in partnership with the Public Health Agency and Diabetes UK Northern Ireland.
There are currently almost 100,000 people in Northern Ireland living with diabetes and this rises annually by more than 3,000 due to our ageing and growing population.
12,000 people living with Type 2 diabetes but not diagnosed
It is estimated that around 12,000 people are also living with Type 2 diabetes and have not yet been diagnosed.
Sophie Lusby, Commissioning Lead at the HSCB said, “The Diabetes Network was developed to deliver the priorities of the Diabetes Strategic Framework outlined in November 2016.
“Together we have achieved a lot.
“We have launched a world-class regional foot care pathway in 2019 and in response to patient concerns and service pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed a regional out of hours clinical diabetes helpline to provide additional clinical access to support people living with diabetes.
“As we refresh our membership and work programme it is important that we continue as we started; having people living with diabetes firmly at the centre to support the effective partnership that has worked so well.
“We have achieved much working alongside Diabetes UK and our Health and Social care colleagues, but there is more to do.
“Together, we can continue to achieve great things. Please come and join us,” she added.
As a member of the Network you will work in partnership with Specialist Diabetes Consultants, Doctors, Diabetes Specialist Nurses and Dietitians, GPs, Pharmacists, Podiatrists, Midwives and Diabetes Service Managers.
Tina McCrossan, National Director, Diabetes UK Northern Ireland added, ”As the Diabetes Network relaunches its work programme this is a great opportunity for you, as a person living with diabetes or caring for someone who does, to have your voice heard and to make a difference.
“You have the opportunity to share your experience and to work with others to shape the future of diabetes care in Northern Ireland, and I encourage you to grasp this opportunity.
She added, “We will support you as you take on this important role and look forward to working with you in improving diabetes services.”
To find out more or to download the application pack visit www.hscboard.hscni.net/diabetes-network/#join-diabetes-network
The closing date for service user representative applications is 5 pm Monday 24 August 2020.
If you are not interested in joining the Network at this time but would like to get involved with your views on how to improve diabetes care and treatment, you can complete the online Diabetes Network survey at https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/diabetes-network-ni.
The closing date for the survey is Monday 31 August 2020.
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