12.05.2022
This week we welcomed Catherine as our Community Diabetes Programme Lead. Working on Wednesdays, Catherine will engage with our clients to take their medical history, carry out screening test such as blood sugar, hypertension, BMI body - mass index –, and work with the individual on agreeing an action plan to help them stay well. This is an important development as many of our clients struggle to effectively access health services but also services struggle to connect successfully with some of our residents in Brent. Our project will provide an effective bridge between the two thus reducing pressure on NHS services and at the same time ensuring that vulnerable people receive the services they need.
Our recent successful Community Diabetes event Ashford Place in partnership with Brent Health Matters BHM showed that some residents are unaware of health issues that could lead to them being diagnosed with diabetes as well as the need for our health services to be accessible as possible e.g. because of the cost of living crisis many people are working long hours so are unable to access health services during office hours, as well as not being able to manage a healthy lifestyle because of a lack of money or other challenges in their lives. We will pilot our programme for six months, review the data and then identify funding to develop a service that meets the needs of our local people.
9.3% of Brent's residents suffer from diabetes, and it is estimated that 17% of all deaths in Brent can be attributed to this condition. This new service will particularly focus on people who are homeless, have lived experience of mental health challenges, from BAME communities, and for those who have difficulties in accessing mainstream health services.