Award winning X-PERT diabetes support for local people

People in Rochdale with diabetes are being encouraged to take up their free place on the boroughs' award winning health education programme.

The X-PERT patient programme is for people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

The aim is to improve their understanding of the condition, how it affects their body and how to make the best decisions to stay healthy and avoid life threatening complications. 

People attend six group sessions, which last 2.5 hours each and are held in a convenient community location. 

Topics include healthy eating and tackling common food myths, medication, improving energy levels and fitness, how to lower blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol and more.

The X-PERT programme is run by health experts from the nutrition and dietetic service, part of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and the community diabetes service, run by Pennine Care in partnership with Bury and Rochdale care organisation (part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group).

It was recently voted as one of the best in the country for educating people with diabetes.

At the annual health awards, run by national diabetes charity X-PERT Health, the Bury and Rochdale X-PERT team beat off stiff competition from more than 50 others nationally to be crowned runner up in the best participant experience category.

This was in recognition of receiving an impressive 98 per cent satisfaction rating by people who completed the course.

Helen Collett, community specialist dietitian, said: “If not managed well, diabetes can have a huge effect on people’s lives and even lead to life threatening complications.

“While we offer lots of advice and support to people and see them regularly, we can’t be with them all the time.

“According to Diabetes UK, on average, people with diabetes spend three hours a year with a healthcare professional. For the remaining 8,757 hours they manage their diabetes themselves. This really highlights the importance of being able to effectively self-care.

“People really enjoy the programme and want to come back each week.  It’s also really rewarding to see their knowledge, confidence and understanding about diabetes develop, so they can stay healthy and live well.”

People who complete the programme can attend yearly follow up sessions, to refresh their knowledge and learn about new developments and advice.

Throughout 2019, there are places available on the X-PERT patient programme at venues in Bury and Rochdale.  There are also other diabetes education programmes people can take advantage of, ranging from just over an hour to a full day.

To find out more, or book a place, people can contact the community diabetes service on 0161 447 9847, or ask their GP to refer them to the service for diabetes education.

For more information visit:

• www.penninecare.nhs.uk/bury-hmr-icds