DIABETES AWARENESS WEEK LAUNCHES IN COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE
10 June 2024
Diabetes Awareness Week begins 10 June and NHS Coventry & Warwickshire are encouraging everyone to learn more about the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and to know their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by visiting the Diabetes UK online tool.
We are also reminding those diagnosed with diabetes to attend their regular health checks to live your best life and be healthy.
In Coventry and Warwickshire, a mobile testing van site for type 2 diabetes will be open 23rd July, 9am-4pm:
Tuesday 23rd July – Arena Shopping Park, Tesco Extra, Phoenix Way, Rowley's Green, Coventry CV6 6GE
Those attending can simply have a conversation about their risk with a clinician or have a finger prick blood test for early signs of diabetes. Also offered are blood pressure checks, BMI Checks and Lipid Testing. All of which can be early indicators of developing Type 2 diabetes. Next steps, if needed, will also be shared.
Diabetes UK has a range of videos detailing symptoms of diabetes.
Professor Vinod Patel, Co-Clinical Director – Diabetes for the Midlands Cardiovascular Disease and Respiratory Network, said:
“We’re encouraging everyone to learn about the 4T’s when it comes to diabetes symptoms: toilet (going more often); thirsty (constant); tired, and thinner (weight loss). For those with diabetes, please maintain your regular health checks, because diabetes is often a condition with multiple health issues to monitor.
“If you have any of these symptoms, then please get a blood pressure check and a blood test at your GP Practice, or visit the mobile test sites in the West Midlands on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday this week. You can prevent type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping physically active “
Peter Shorrick, Head of Midlands and East at Diabetes UK said:
“If you think you have some of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, ask your GP for a blood test for diabetes. It’s important that type 2 diabetes is picked up as early as possible. If you can attend one of our test site this week for a free test, I urge you to do so.
“We will also be giving out information to support self-management, and signposting people to key local support services including local prevention programmes and Talking Therapies Services in supporting people’s mental health.”
If you or someone you know think you’re at risk of diabetes and would like more information, please visit Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, or, if you have any other concerns related to your health, please contact your GP practice.
Find out your risk of type 2 diabetes by using the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk Score or by searching ‘Know Your Risk’.
If you are planning on attending a test site, please arrive before 4pm.