ADVANCES in the treatment and management of type 1 diabetes were celebrated at a special event held in a newly refurbished clinic in Dumfries.
Staff, patients and families gathered at the Mountainhall Treatment Centre to see the improvements to the clinic’s waiting and phlebotomy rooms — made possible through NHS Charity funding and to honour local people who have live with the condition
The refurbished spaces were unveiled during a celebration hosted by the health board’s diabetes team are aimed at creating a more welcoming and functional experience for patients attending the centre.
In addition to functional improvements, the aesthetic changes include artwork which is designed to engage with people being supported with diabetes and intended to offer different perspectives on the condition.
Commenting on the refurbishment, MCN Manager Diabetes Nicola Millar said: “We’ve had some support from our NHS Dumfries and Galloway charity to make the clinic’s patient waiting room a bit more comfortable and homely. We’ve also redesigned our phlebotomy rooms to improve the patient’s journey through our service.”
As part of the celebration medals were presented to patients to individuals marking 50, 60, and 70 years of living with type one diabetes, celebrating their resilience, adaptability, and the enormous changes they have witnessed in care and treatment over time.
Speaking at the event, medal recipient Derek Banks noted the transformative role that new pump systems have made in managing diabetes.He said: “To me, that was the best thing ever for somebody with type 1 diabetes. It was a new way of life for me. Anyone who gets the chance to use a pump should jump at it — it really changes things, not just for you but for your whole family.”
The diabetes team in Dumfries and Galloway have been at the forefront of rolling out the latest diabetes technologies,Staff continue to work to provide support to patients, and pursue opportunities for wider access to technologies which can help manage Type 1 diabetes, Dr Fiona Green said:“These technologies have made people feel human again, and that’s powerful.
“We’re doing our best in Dumfries and Galloway, and I think we’re doing really well in terms of uptake compared to the rest of Scotland.
“But we’ll keep banging the drum to make sure more people benefit.”
