Course offers X-PERT help for patients with Type 2 diabetes

Date published: 24/11/2009

People in Bury living with Type 2 diabetes are being invited to become X-PERTs in their condition.

Community Services Bury is offering a free structured patient education programme, which aims to empower and support adults living with Type 2 diabetes, in the management of their condition.

Known as X-PERT, the course runs over six weeks, each session lasting two and a half hours.

The course is delivered by a Diabetes Specialist Dietitian and Diabetes Specialist Nurse from the Community Diabetes Team, and covers a range of topics including; what is diabetes; weight management; carbohydrate awareness, possible complications and much more.

Feedback from previous courses suggests that participants have significantly improved diabetes control, have achieved a healthier weight and experienced a reduced requirement for diabetes medication.

Over 2 million people in England are living with diabetes. Many more have the condition but don’t know it. Type 1 and type 2 are the most common forms of diabetes. The causes of both types are different, but both result in too much glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Dr. Jerry Martin, local GP with special interest in diabetes said;

“A diagnosis of diabetes can be overwhelming for a patient, but that shouldn't stop them from living a healthy and active life. Effective management of diabetes can reduce the chances of developing complications. It’s really important to try and stay as healthy as possible by eating well, taking regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.”

X-PERT courses in Bury are planned for January, May and November 2010.

Any patients who would like to find out more information about the course, or to book a place should call 01706 28 3521.