DRWF Lay Member, Guy Murphy, kindly attended a recent diabetes surgery forum on behalf of DRWF in Orpington, Kent, acting as a patient advocate for the charity.
Guy serves as a lay member of the DRWF Editorial Advisory Board and the purpose of the afternoon was for him to pass on DRWF support and information to people with diabetes at the surgery.
The Orpington Ballater Surgery ‘Patients Advisory Committee’ has recently taken the initiative in organising a number of meetings on various medical topics that are of interest to their patients. The first topic was diabetes which was held on 22nd May and attended by some 40 patients.
Ian Williamson, Chairman of the Patients Advisory Group, opened the meeting by way of introduction and then Professor Abdol Tavabie gave a detailed talk about type 1 and 2 diabetes and causes, symptoms and related conditions.
He also explained why it is important to undergo regular check-ups with the surgery and diabetic nurse, Jackie Tavabie, who was also present.
The presentation included a ‘Question and Answer’ session, which helped patients understand some of the aspects of this disease and understand the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Guy’s talk covered the charity’s work and he related to audience well as a person with type 2 diabetes, as he discovered by a number of the questions he fielded at the end! He talked about the support DRWF provide to people with diabetes, diet and exercise and DRWF wellness events. He also provided attendees with newsletters and DRWF patient information leaflets to take away from the day.
Pat Brown, from the Patients Advisory Group said, ‘Following Guy’s presentation, the attendees were interested in the Foundation's work and all the published literature which DRWF had supplied, which was a great contribution to our very first forum at the Surgery.’