Help us raise awareness of the 4 Ts of diabetes

Take action to get children the care they need

500 children every year become seriously ill with diabetic ketoacidosis because the early signs of Type 1 diabetes are missed.

It doesn’t have to be this way. By making sure children and young people get a quick diagnosis, prompt treatment and the right care to manage their diabetes, we can help to bring it under control as quickly as possible.

At Diabetes UK we’re working hard to raise awareness of the 4Ts of diabetes: Toilet, Thirsty, Tired and Thinner – the four most common symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.

We’re also campaigning to make sure doctors carry out the right test for Type1 diabetes there and then, if a child presents with any of these symptoms.

We need your help to reach as many people are possible. Here’s how you can get involved.

If you have five minutes

• Send a letter from you or your child to your GP or local NHS Trust. Using our template letter (Word, 35KB) you can ask them to support the campaign and make sure everyone knows about the 4Ts.
• Tell us what’s going on in your area so we can draw up a national picture of care for children with diabetes and support the NHS to improve where needed.

If you’ve got a bit more time

• Make your community aware of the 4Ts by downloading our template press release (Word, 35KB) and sending it to the editor of your local newspaper. If you’re comfortable doing so, you could add in your own personal experiences. Please note, the press release is embargoed until the official launch of the campaign on World Diabetes Day, 14 November, so your story won’t appear until after this date.
• If you’re a member of your local GP surgery PPG, take copies of our pathway for diagnosing Type 1 diabetes in children to your next meeting. It’s available to order from our online shop, or you can download and print a copy here: 'Diagnosing Children Pathway' (PDF, 476KB). Ask the group what referral protocols are in place at the practice. Ask what the practice can do to help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.

For more information visit www.diabetes.org.uk/The4Ts. You can also keep up-to-date with everything that’s going on by following @DiabetesUK on Twitter and liking our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/diabetesuk.

Keep in touch

We’re keen to hear what you’ve been doing to make a difference and any other ideas you have about how you can support the campaign. Get in touch and let us know by emailing diabetesvoices@diabetes.org.uk or calling 020 7424 1008.