Free public lecture on diabetes services in Mid West

A free public lecture on services available to diabetes patients at University Hospital Limerick takes place on Tuesday, March 20th (6pm), at the Clinical Education and Research Centre, UHL.
 
The series of lectures forms part of UL Hospitals Healthy Ireland programme, which commits the group to greater public engagement and more educational events.
 
Speakers on the evening are to include:
 
·         Dr Eoin Noctor, Consultant Endocrinologist, UL Hospitals Group
·         Prof Clodagh O’Gorman, Consultant Paediatrician in Diabetes and Endocrinology, UL Hospitals Group
·         Ms Sarah Fitzpatrick, Clinical Nurse Specialist Diabetes, University Hospital Limerick
·         Ms Yvonne Moloney, Registered Advanced Midwifery Practitioner Diabetes, University Maternity Hospital Limerick
·         Ms Marilyn McDonagh, Senior Podiatrist, University Hospital Limerick

Members of the public who attend the lecture will leave with a better understanding of what to expect of diabetes services (adult, paediatric and maternity) in the Mid West and the patient journey.
 
“We want to give clear information about the typical patient journey through the diabetes service. It will cover both the adult and paediatric services and both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes with a number presentations being given from members of the multidisciplinary team providing care in the MidWest,” said Dr Noctor.
 
“The onset of diabetes is gradual and nobody knows for certain how many people have diabetes or pre-diabetes. It is probably best expressed as a proportion of the population and the best estimate we have is that it can affect nearly 1 in 20 adults. We could be looking at approximately 20,000 adults living with diabetes in this region but nobody knows for certain. It is increasing worldwide and there is no reason to think we are any different in Ireland,” he added.
 
 
Approximately 200 children and adolescents currently attend paediatric diabetes services at University Hospital Limerick. Almost every child with diabetes will have Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and will require insulin. This is not related to lifestyle.
 
 
Prof Colette Cowan, CEO, UL Hospitals Group, has encouraged members of the public to attend next Tuesday night.
 
“Our Healthy Ireland strategy identifies a need to engage more with the public around health promotion and prevention of illness. Conditions like diabetes, with the right education and supports, can be self-managed to a considerable degree. There is an emphasis in Healthy Ireland around hospital avoidance and looking after our own physical and mental health and wellbeing. But those who attend next week’s lecture will also learn about the excellent work being done in the Group across all disciplines and will leave reassured that excellent specialist care is there for them when do have to come in to hospital,” Prof Cowan said.
 
*The CERC Building is located adjacent to the new Emergency Department/Critical Care Block at UHL. For ease of access, please use car parks 2 and 3 if arriving by car.