Article Source: Diabetes Professional Care
Last Updated: 6 November 2020 10:07
On Saturday, November 14, which is also World Diabetes Day, Diabetes Professional Care (DPC2020), the UK’s leading event for diabetes healthcare professionals, will be staging its first ever patient education day.
The free-to-attend United Through Diabetes virtual conference is for people living with diabetes and has been organised by DPC, in partnership with the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation (DRWF) charity.
This virtual conference has been specifically designed to provide up-to-date education, top tips and skills for managing diabetes and inspirational sessions to help people living with all types of diabetes and their family and friends.
DPC Founder Maggie Meer said: “As a person who lives with type 2 diabetes, I recognise how crucial it is to keep patients informed of all the latest developments from within the field of diabetes, particularly during the current climate, where we’re hearing people with diabetes are at greater risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19.
“We’re giving people with diabetes a front row seat to our programme which has been designed by people living with diabetes and our expert line up of healthcare professionals.
“We all have the same aim, to empower attendees so they feel they can take their health into their own hands. They need to know what new treatments are available and how they might benefit from them, and to give them the confidence to stand up and ask the questions they previously may have been too scared to ask their GP or diabetes nurse.
“The whole event is entirely free as I firmly believe that, to create real, positive changes, diabetes education must be free to access, no matter what.”
Amanda Epps, an Adult Diabetes Specialist Nurse at Rainham PCN & Medway NHS Foundation Trust, will be involved on the day to speak to people with diabetes and unpick some of the information broadcast to virtual attendees.
She said: “United Through Diabetes is going to be vital for anyone living with diabetes. We desperately need a culture shift when it comes to diabetes education. We need better access and also a change in attitudes.
“I recently spoke to someone with diabetes from Bulgaria where education is seen as a vital part of the treatment. But in the UK, it’s thought of as optional, you can’t get time off work to attend diabetes education, but you can if it’s a GP appointment.
“In the UK we need to change our mindsets to start looking at education as an essential part of the treatment plan. We need to improve access, it should be available 24/7, if someone wants to access it at midnight then they should be able to.
“With online technology improving dramatically and people working from home because of lockdown measures, there is a real opportunity to reach people who wouldn’t normally be accessible.
“Unfortunately, people with diabetes and a high HbA1c are at a much higher risk of dying from COVID-19 should they contract it. There has never been a better time for healthcare professionals to engage people with diabetes and improve their access to education.”
The United Through Diabetes patient education event, is on November 14 between 09:30 – 17:00, follows DPC Virtual, a three-day , CPD-accredited conference for healthcare professionals working within the field of diabetes.
For more information and access to more frequently asked questions, click here.
St James Quarter is turning up the volume for music fans with the launch of its first-ever pop-up Vinyl Lounge during the opening and closing weekends of the St James Quarter Sessions!
READ MOREA community venue in Edinburgh's Morningside is getting tails wagging with a 'Pooch Coffee Morning' being staged especially for local neighbourhood dogs on Sunday 24th August.
READ MOREA NEW rock ‘n’ roll star was born in Edinburgh on Saturday as the world’s first Wonderwall World Champion was crowned.
READ MOREStronger Together: Kellogg's pledges pound-for-pound match for Big Scottish Breakfast Fundraiser.
READ MOREFrom rooftop bars to street food halls, Michelin-trained chefs to quirky cocktail spots, this is your interval indulgence sorted.
READ MOREThe Skinny and Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland are delighted to announce the winners of the first of the weekly new Festival Awards, The Besties.
READ MOREThe biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MOREThis August, Duck & Waffle Edinburgh invites fringe-goers and city explorers to indulge in a specially curated menu and weekly live music.
READ MORECold Town House, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic rooftop bars, is being given a ‘Supernova’ makeover in time for Oasis fans arriving in the capital for 3 nights of gigs.
READ MOREThis Edinburgh Fringe, festival goers can sing their hearts out to the top thirty karaoke belters mathematically proven to boost people’s moods.
READ MOREJoin Gilded Balloon’s staff and performers as they bring out their most fabulously pink outfits to fundraise for this year’s charity partner Waverley Care on Wednesday 6th August!
READ MOREThe Traverse Theatre hosts two exciting industry-facing events as part of its Travfest25 programme this August!
READ MOREScottish outdoor clothing brand, Keela, has announced that it has remade one of its most iconic jackets – the Falkland Parka 95 – at its factory in Glenrothes, on a limited production run.
READ MOREOASIS fans are being invited to belt out Wonderwall in a one day singing showdown, as Innis & Gunn launch the first ever Wonderwall World Championships in Edinburgh.
READ MOREGraham Norton is making a triumphant return to Virgin Radio for a one-off Sunday special, broadcasting live from Virgin Hotels Edinburgh on 24th August, and Virgin Red members can be part of it.
READ MORELost Shore Surf Resort, Europe’s largest inland surfing destination, is proudly celebrating the return of its surf heroes as key members of the coaching team took centre stage at Euro Surf 2025.
READ MOREBrewDog has launched a nationwide campaign called Beer Nation - offering free beer, £1 pints, and surprise pop-ups - hitting Edinburgh on Tuesday 5th August!
READ MOREThe producers of the brand-new musical HERE & NOW, presented by UK pop sensation, Steps, are delighted to announce the full cast for the UK & Ireland tour, opening at Edinburgh Playhouse in 2026.
READ MORESteve Spencer cycles 1k miles over 2 weeks, volunteering at all 16 Wave Project UK locations, raising money for the charity, on the eve of his 60th birthday.
READ MOREOn Saturday 2nd August, players across Scotland will take to the courts at Hatton Sports Club for Padethon 2025, a 25-hour marathon of non-stop padel to raise funds for Right To Play UK.
READ MOREThis August, the five-star W Edinburgh announces it is officially partnering with The Stand, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic comedy venues, in celebration of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
READ MOREThe curtain rises on the this year’s International Festival, welcoming audiences to explore opera, music, theatre and dance through the lens of the theme The Truth We Seek.
READ MOREEdinburgh University Students’ Association hosts ten of the city’s best local vendors, delivering award-winning and mouth-watering food and drink at their iconic festival venues.
READ MOREThis August, one of Scotland’s most exciting culinary talents is bringing an unmissable dining experience to the heart of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
READ MOREWith packed venues and 30 medal sessions across 50 sport sessions, it's shaping up to be one of the most electric weekends in Glasgow's sporting history!
READ MOREThis August, Dynamic Earth is back at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as Venue 315, transforming once again into a vibrant Fringe hub at the foot of Salisbury Crags.
READ MOREThe first ‘Escape Room - Edinburgh Edition’ board game is being launched exclusively at just four venues across the capital this August, just in time for the start of this year's Festival.
READ MORESeven moments of filmed magic to be shared with audiences in the theatre and at home throughout this year’s TravFest.
READ MORENew Superfood Kitchen opens at Bonnie & Wild as popular Scottish food hall hosts pop-up cider bar and free Fringe ceilidh this August.
READ MORE81-year-old Robin Dow, charity co-founder, will embark on a 25-mile walk from Leith to Tantallon Castle to celebrate Mindroom's anniversary to raise £50,000 for neurodivergent children & families.
READ MORE