Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Diabetes Patient Forum launched in Tendring

A DIABETES patient forum for Tendring is being launched by NHS North East Essex to help people receive the diabetes services they feel they need.

For the past two years, a north east Essex-wide diabetes patient forum has been established, meeting once a month in Colchester. However, following feedback from patients, NHS North East Essex has taken the decision to split the group into two.

Public Health Diabetes Nurse, Linda Jewsbury, said: “We have been made aware that a number of patients with diabetes in Tendring would like to join the forum but find it difficult to travel to Colchester. We considered alternating the venue between Colchester and Tendring but then Colchester forum members said they wouldn’t be able to travel to Tendring. We decided the best option would be to have forum meetings in Tendring and Colchester.

“It is very important to involve patients at every stage of service planning and provision and this patient forum enable us to do this. We have 22 people on the forum list and we anticipate this increasing with the launch of a Tendring venue.”

The initial Tendring meeting will take place on October 27, 6.30-8pm, at the premises of Community Voluntary Services Tendring in Rosemary Road, Clacton. People interested in attending are asked to contact Linda in advanced of the meeting on 01206 286911 or linda.jewsbury@northeastessex.nhs.uk

The next Colchester forum meeting will take place on October 26, 6.30-8pm, at the Colchester Primary Care Centre in Turner Road.

Linda also reminded people with diabetes to collect their personal diabetes handbooks or the update pages from their GP practice if they haven't already got their copy.