HCPs Encouraged To Register For Free DVD Vouchers For Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 02 Feb 2010 - 0:00 PDT

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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."

Source
Diabetes UK

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