Since October, a new service providing access to Continuous Glucose Monitoring and insulin pump therapy is now available in University Hospital Kerry (UHK). For the first time, people with Type 1 diabetes who attend the hospital for their diabetes care can start thinking about switching to these new technologies and exploring how these tools can help them to manage their condition more effectively.
To help people find out more about the range of technologies currently available in Ireland, Diabetes Technology Network Ireland (DTN IRL), in collaboration with Diabetes Ireland and the diabetes team in UHK, is hosting a free technology information meeting in the Manor West Hotel, Tralee, on Wednesday 29th April at 6.15 pm.
The meeting is for people living with diabetes and their families interested in learning about the various technologies including the latest innovation, the hybrid closed loop system, that are now available in Ireland. It is also an opportunity for people to hear from the local hospital diabetes team on how to engage with them to access the technology.
With the landscape of diabetes technology changing so quickly, it can be difficult to keep up to date on developments, so this is a great opportunity for attendees to inform themselves about the technology and how it will enable them to manage their condition more effectively.
Dr Tomás Griffin, Consultant Physician, Galway University Hospital, who will be presenting on this important topic on the night, said “through DTN Ireland, we have been travelling around the country working with local diabetes teams as they embark on their journey to provide access to diabetes technology. Our aim is to empower attendees to make informed decisions about diabetes technology in collaboration with their diabetes care team, choosing options that best meet clinical needs and lifestyle preferences”.
Ms Mairead Brosnahan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in UHK, presenting on the night, said “we are really looking forward to hosting the DTN meeting in Tralee as we are thrilled to share the recent developments in accessing diabetes technology in UHK and provide an opportunity for attendees to see the various technologies for themselves. I hope to see as many Kerry based people with diabetes as possible come along on the night”.
There will also be a special awards ceremony on the night, with Diabetes Ireland and the UHK diabetes team honouring 3 exceptional local individuals who are living well with type 1 diabetes for over 50 years. Each person will be presented with a “Living Well With Diabetes” medal in recognition of their courage, perseverance, and dedication in managing their condition. Alongside them will be Kerry Footballer, Fay O’Donoughue, who will be sharing her recent experience of using diabetes technology to manage her Type 1 diabetes and Dr Kate Gajewska from Diabetes Ireland who will share her personal insights on the benefits of technology for those living with diabetes.
The meeting in Tralee is the fifth meeting of the series. “Previous evenings held in Galway, Cork, Dublin and Letterkenny were hugely successful, so whether you are a person living with type 1 diabetes, a parent/carer of a child with type 1 diabetes or living with type 2 diabetes and interested to see and learn more about the various technologies, don’t miss the opportunity and join us on the 29th April in the Manor West Hotel. For further information, visit www.diabetes.ie” added Dr Griffin.
