New service offers support for students with diabetes

Adam Eaton and Jo Dalton

Poole Hospital has launched a new service offering additional support for students with diabetes who attend The Bournemouth & Poole College. The first session focussed on managing diabetes during exams as the examination season is coming up very soon.

The new service is provided by the Young People’s Diabetes Service, who are based at the diabetes centre at Poole Hospital. The Young People’s Diabetes Specialist Nurse works with this transition age group (16-22 years) and the clinics are offered every month at Bournemouth & Poole College.

The Young Peoples Diabetes Service is designed to support young adults by developing their confidence and skills, whilst taking greater responsibility for positive self-care ideas and strategies for their own diabetes. They learn to manage it safely and effectively.

Jo Dalton, Diabetes Transition Nurse Specialist at the Diabetes Centre, said: “We understand that for students dealing with diabetes it can be very demanding and stressful, especially when they are preparing for exams.”

“This new initiative will offer them the opportunity to have our support and advice during their time at college, whilst still under the care of our transition service.”

Christina Crabb, College Nurse at Bournemouth & Poole College, said: “We are delighted to provide the facilities for this innovative service for our students with diabetes. Welcoming this clinic is a great example of the importance we place on ensuring that we provide efficient and high quality health care support for our students.”

Adam Eaton, a Design and Creative Arts student, is one of the first to benefit from the new clinic. He said: “This new service has been a godsend. The team from Poole Hospital has taken time to help me develop my confidence in taking greater responsibility for managing my own diabetes, as well as giving me useful tips ahead of my exams.”

Those interested in finding out more about this service can contact the team at yps.diabetes@poole.nhs.uk

 

Press release provided by Poole Hospital.

Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an acute general hospital serving the 272,000 people living in Poole, East Dorset and Purbeck.

Our vision is to provide excellent patient-centred emergency and planned care to the people we serve and the hospital has a unique philosophy which underpins that care. The Poole Approach pledges that we will strive at all times to provide friendly, professional, patient-centred care with dignity and respect for all.

The diabetes centre at Poole Hospital provides holistic care for anyone with diabetes, and has established itself as a centre of excellence with a range of clinics and education services for people with the condition. Its Young People's Diabetes Service (YPDS) is designed for young people as they move from the paediatric (children’s) clinic to the adult diabetes service. The Centre is based in the Philip Arnold Unit at Poole Hospital's main site on Longfleet Road.

To find out more about Poole Hospital visit www.poole.nhs.uk