Diagnosed and living with Diabetes Type 1 from age ten, Grace Dempster has praised the Nursing staff at the Ulster Hospital as they have, “helped me a lot”.
“I remember it was December 2022 when I was diagnosed with Diabetes,” explained Grace. “In school I can manage my Diabetes myself but there is always a teacher I can talk to. The staff at the hospital have helped me a lot.”
Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse Rachel Boyle explained how there had been a 55 per cent increase in the number of paediatric patients in the South Eastern Trust Diabetes Service over the past 10 years.
“Between 2015 and 2023, the number of children newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes across Northern Ireland rose by 29 per cent,” explained Rachel.
World Diabetes Awareness Day is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
13-year-old Katherine Woods was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1 in May 2023. Through the support and education from the hospital Diabetes team, Katherine has been able to check her own blood sugars, “and do my own corrections.”
“The staff at the hospital have made me feel really comfortable. When I first came into the hospital, I was really upset at the time and they have been a great support to me. They have taught me about Diabetes and they have talked me through it. If they hadn’t helped me I wouldn’t be here today.”
Katherine continued: “Sometimes I will need someone to help me, such as my classroom assistant or my parents. They will stay with me to make sure that I am ok or give me something to eat when I am low in sugar.”
Paediatric Diabetes Nurse Specialist Catherine McKinley added how anyone, from childhood through to adulthood, who is the experiencing the, “Four T’s – tired, thinner, toilet and thirst, should reach out to their GP.”
“Someone who has undiagnosed Diabetes would have an increase in tiredness, in their thirst levels, they would be losing unexplained weight and be visiting the toilet more often.”
“World Diabetes Awareness Day is so important, in terms of society, to have a better understanding of what it is like for people living with the condition and what it involves in their day-to-day. The day is a chance to make the public aware of the symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes and what to look out for. “
Catherine described how living with Diabetes is a, “life-long condition.” “Living with the condition involves more work everyday. As a service we are so proud of our patients, we want them to embrace every part of their lives. We are here to support them and empower them.”
Catherine spoke passionately on the love she has for her role. “I love my job. We work with children from when they are diagnosed, we work with them through their diagnosis and meet with them at clinics. It’s lovely to see them grow and develop and it’s so nice when they come back and visit us.”