Who We Are
A year or two ago a group made up of local patient representatives along with local healthcare professionals involved in diabetes care came up with the idea of developing a website packed full of information about diabetes. This website was to be of help to people with diabetes and their families. The first website was developed as a joint project between the Ulster Hospital-based Diabetes Team and staff from the University of Ulster. This is now version two of the website – we hope you like it and find it useful.
More about the Ulster Hospital-based Diabetes Team
The Ulster Hospital-based Diabetes Service has in the last few years grown and developed considerably. The Diabetes Team is now quite large and includes many different health care professionals all working together to bring you the best possible diabetes service. The team is comprised of doctors, specialist nurses, dietitians, podiatrists, psychologists, secretaries, clerical officers and a diabetes facilitator. Click here to see the team members (some have included a photograph so you can put a name to the face!)
The Diabetes Team is committed to delivering the highest possible standards of care to all people with diabetes. Diabetes is a long-term condition, which can impact on many aspects of life – on health, on work, on leisure and on social activities. What is really important when living with diabetes is to have a thorough understanding of the condition. This allows you to manage your diabetes well. Managing your diabetes well keeps you healthier and lessens the impact that diabetes might have on your life.
Education is a vital part of developing your diabetes management skills and is by far the most important aspect of any service for people with diabetes. Patient empowerment and patient education are high on the list of national and regional priorities. The Diabetes Team provides a whole range of educational supports for our patients. This website is one aspect of the support that we provide. We hope you will find the information useful and easy to understand.
Diabetes is increasing and now affects at least 5.4% of our local population. The Local Diabetes Network brings together patients and those working in the health service in order to plan the best way forward for local diabetes services.
The network group meets two to three times a year usually at the Ulster Hospital. Patients and health care professionals work together. They monitor how the service is delivered and look at ways of improving all aspects of the local diabetes service.
Click to find out more about the Local Diabetes Network, and what they are doing to help improve local diabetes services for you!