A six-week targeted campaign to empower people across the county living with diabetes to take control of their condition is launching this week.
The collaborative initiative between Diabetes UK, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) will see key information given with prescriptions to people living with diabetes.
All 152 pharmacies in the area are taking part in the project, ensuring around 20,000 people receive vital information to help them manage their condition better.
Our new 15 Healthcare Essentials checklist will be attached to all diabetes prescriptions. This simple leaflet explains the checks people should be receiving every year to help them to live long and healthy lives, free from complications. And the checklist encourages people with diabetes to ask for health checks and understand why they need them.
Peter Shorrick, our Midlands and East Regional Head, said:
“We are really pleased to be part of this project. Diabetes is a relentless condition and we understand managing this day in and day out, especially during the coronavirus outbreak, is very difficult.
Having the right information will empower people living with the condition by ensuring they understand what good basic care is. It is vital that the 15 health checks on the list are carried out every year.
We know the world looks different at the moment and many of us are feeling isolated, perhaps having virtual check-ups and juggling a host of other issues. Ensuring you manage your diabetes consistently, and knowing what checks you need, can help people with diabetes reduce their risk of complications and live healthier lives.”
Everyone with the condition, whether this is type 1 or type 2 diabetes, can use the information to ensure they receive the level of care required in order to manage their condition well.
All the pharmacies have health champions who will be promoting the initiative, and there will be a link on the checklist for people to feedback how they have used the information and share positive changes taken.
Shorrick added:
“Doctors, pharmacists and diabetes specialist nurses all play a vital role in supporting and caring for people with diabetes. But we want people living with the condition to be in the driving seat, understanding their condition, managing it well day-to-day and knowing what care to ask for and how to ensure they live their healthiest life possible.”
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG’s Clinical Lead for Diabetes, local GP Dr Jessica Randall-Carrick, said:
“We’re proud to be a part of this new campaign to help people with diabetes get the information they need to understand the necessary regular checks that help to identify the possible early complications of diabetes, so that changes can be made to reduce the impact of this condition and significantly improve their health.
This campaign fits in perfectly with the wider work we’re doing as a system to help people in our area eat well, sleep well and move more as part of our exciting BMI Can Do It movement.
An estimated 50,000 people in our area have diabetes, and we know that living with diabetes can be a daily challenge. The “15 health checks” leaflet will help support people with diabetes, by signposting them to those aspects that they need to live a healthy life. We want to encourage everyone with diabetes in our area to contact their GP practice about the 15 Healthcare Essentials, and to join our BMI Can Do It movement by visiting www.bmicandoit.co.uk.”
Rita Bali, Executive Officer at Cambs LPC said:
“We are really pleased to be part of this important campaign.
Pharmacies come into regular face-to-face contact with diabetes patients and so are very well placed to have a conversation about the management of the condition and spot any issues before they become bigger problems.”
