Help Diabetes – a groundbreaking campaign takes new approach to diabetes research

THE North West is involved in a groundbreaking new campaign to help people with diabetes get a better chance to take part in the very latest clinical research.

The North West Diabetes Research Network (NW DRN) is taking part in the campaign that is asking people with diabetes for permission to be approached about clinical research studies that may be interesting to them.

Everyone knows there is a real need to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, eye, kidney and foot problems for people with diabetes. By giving more people the chance to take part in the latest research we’ll be able to make a real difference to the lives of everyone with diabetes much sooner.

Prof Martin Gibson, Clinical Lead, NW DRN, said:- "This is a brand new approach to clinical research. It means that people with diabetes can be contacted directly if a study becomes available which might suit them. This means that clinical trials can be set up much faster which is ideal for diabetes research."

The campaign; titled ‘Help Diabetes’; is taking place in 3 regions of England:- the North West, the South West, and the North East of London.  The programme, which is approved by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), aims to improve the treatment diabetes patients receive now and in the future by accelerating the introduction of new medicines and treatments for everyone.

Throughout the campaign, people can express their interest in diabetes research by texting ‘research’ and their name to 81400 or through:- researchforthefuture.nihr.ac.uk.  People will then be contacted by our dedicated NHS team to discuss how they might be able to help with diabetes in the future. At this point people can decide if they want to be included on our ‘consent for approach’ database. The call centre is staffed by experienced NHS personnel with a background in helping people care for their diabetes.

Over 300,000 people in the North West have diabetes and it has been estimated that diabetes costs the whole of the NHS £1 million every hour – around 10% of the total NHS budget.

The campaign is being promoted through radio advertisements, Facebook, Twitter (@helpdiabetes), public relations activity and working with diabetes charities to help spread the word.

The Help Diabetes campaign is managed by the Diabetes Research Network, part of the National Institute for Heath Research (NIHR).

FREE Cycle Training and Maintenance across Merseyside

MERSEYTRAVEL’S TravelWise has teamed up with Liverpool NHS Primary Care Trust for the 2020 Decade of Health and Wellbeing, offering Merseyside residents FREE cycle skills sessions and bike maintenance courses.  Whether you’re looking to learn to ride a bike for the first time, or improve your confidence and on-road skills, each ‘freewheeling’ course is based on the 3 levels of the national standard Bikeability training, ideal for all abilities from Level 1 that involves learning the basics like staying upright, signalling, looking behind and using your gears, progressing to Level 2.  Level 2 involves turning right and left at junctions into quiet roads and overtaking parked cars etc. You can also do Level 3, that offers more advanced skills and manoeuvres for cycling on busier roads.

If you can't ride a bike or haven't ridden for many years, then don’t worry, there is also a special ‘learn to ride’ session, which will get you ready for the Level 1 course.  Neil Scales, Merseytravel Chief Executive said:- “We are working hard at Merseytravel towards greener transport initiatives which will deliver a low carbon future for Merseyside and we actively encourage sustainable travel by bike, walking, bus, rail or car sharing. Cycling is a great way to get around Merseyside and don’t forget that bikes go free across the Merseyrail network.”

Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of Liverpool PCT added:- “Cycling is a great way to exercise and become more active, it can help improve health and stamina without the need for costly gym membership. It’s easily to fit cycling into your daily routine, you can cycle for leisure, to the shops or even to work and regular cyclists typically have a level of fitness equivalent to being 10 years younger.”

If you want to get to know more about your bike, then the FREE bite size maintenance courses are perfect. Pick and choose from a number of themed sessions to help you gain specific knowledge about safety checks and cleaning, fixing a puncture, brakes and gears, just choose one or take part in them all!

All sessions are based at a fully equipped Merseyside training centre and are available during the daytime, early evenings and at weekends. All training and courses are delivered by fully accredited Bikeright! Instructors.  For more information you can book online or call the Merseyside Training Centre on:- 0151 482 5700.