Supported self-management
To support the work that we are doing in conjunction with the International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes UK is also highlighting the importance of supported self-management for people with diabetes.
As 95 per cent of diabetes care is through self-management, this key issue - which is about enabling people with diabetes to have the confidence and skills to better manage their lives with diabetes - is one of Diabetes UK's priority concerns.
Improving supported self-management
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to supported self-management, so Diabetes UK interviewed people affected by this. The analysis of this research was published on 11 November 2009 as a report, 'Improving supported self-management for people with diabetes', to coincide with World Diabetes Day. It will also will be used as part of a campaign to raise awareness of this key issue.
Over 70 Parliamentarians attended Diabetes UK's Parliamentary Reception, hosted by Philip Dunne MP, to mark World Diabetes Day 2009.
Twenty Diabetes UK volunteers attended the event and helped MPs and Peers to solve the diabetes care puzzle.
Reception host Philip Dunne MP is pictured here putting the final piece of the diabetes care puzzle in place.
Steve Webb MP and his constituent, Janet Ford, solve the diabetes care puzzle
People with diabetes may only have contact with a healthcare professional for a total of a few hours per year so it is vital they have access to high quality, consistent information about diabetes, specialist advice when required, structured education and ongoing support from peers, friends and families.
Ensuring all the pieces of the puzzle are in place is key to enabling people to manage their lives with diabetes.