The Diabetes National Spring meeting in Mullingar last Sunday 23rd April was very well attended. Attendees truly appreciated the knowledge shared by the speakers. It helped to reinforce what they already know about diabetes but there was also new learning with many commenting on these three topics –
- Renewed focus on cholesterol and BP management, not just blood glucose
- Updates on technology which had attendees buzzing and the session was very interactive with many questions
- Fresh focus of achieving excellent A1c control when planning a pregnancy
Attendees were primarily people living with diabetes but many brought family along as they felt the need to understand diabetes and help their loved one with the day-to-day management of the condition.
Eleven people who have lived with diabetes for 50 years attended the meeting and were awarded a 50 year commemorative medal. It was inspirational and motivational to celebrate life with them and to hear about the challenges of the past. In the early 60’s people with diabetes were paying £2’s a month for their insulin and encouraged to eat diabetic chocolate which was a shilling (we know today this is not encouraged). By 1971 Diabetes Ireland had managed to get all medications, equipment and insulin free for the now 220,000 people living with diabetes.
Our next large meeting will be Dublin-based on November 14th, World Diabetes Day. Meanwhile there are many small meetings and diabetes screenings taking place across Ireland. Visit https://www.diabetes.ie/events/ for more information.
