East Sussex hospitals launch hypoglycemia campaign for diabetes patients

Doctors and nurses at East Sussex Healthcare have taken part in a national drive to raise awareness of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes.
Diabetes teams at Conquest and Eastbourne Hospitals led a variety of activities that helped people with diabetes learn about the causes, treatment and prevention of hypos.
Earlier this year, the University of Leicester reported that hospital admissions for hypoglycemia in England have increased over the last 10 years.
This initiative from East Sussex Healthcare sought to help patients obtain better control of their blood sugar levels so that hypoglycemia would be less of a burden on their quality of life.
Sally Faulkner, lead diabetes specialist nurse, said “Hypoglycaemia should be self-managed but if treatment is delayed or inappropriate it can become a medical emergency.
“It is essential that people who are at risk are hypo-aware and critical that they have timely and appropriate treatment. The recognition and treatment of hypoglycaemia is very straightforward but unfortunately remains misunderstood.”
According to the National Diabetes Inpatient Audit, the number of people with diabetes in hospital beds has increased by 14.6 per cent in 2010 to 16.8 per cent in 2015.
Moreover, one fifth of inpatients had one or more episodes of hypoglycemia of the previous seven days of their stay.
If you, or someone you know, has been struggling with hypoglycemia then check out our Hypo Training Program: a free online education course which takes 30 seconds to sign up to.
After taking the course, 88 per cent of people can spot a hypo and 63 per cent experience fewer severe hypos six months on.