Standing (l to r)  Michael Knowles, General Manager,  Sandra McCarthy, Director of Nursing, Regina Healion, CNSp Diabetes,  Caoimhe Kenny, Senior Dietician, Dr John Connaughton, Clinical Director,  Dr Jay Sharma, Consultant Endocrinologist . Seated (l to r) Karen Delahunty, Clerical Officer, Michelle McCormack, Staff Nurse,  Dr Pyeh Kyithar, Consultant Endocrinologist, Lorraine Kelly, Senior Dietician, Georgina Doyle, ANP Diabetes

A new course supporting patients diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the Midland Regional Hospital (MRH) Portlaoise represents a “very positive development allowing patients to fit diabetes into their lives rather than fitting their lives,” according to Clinical Director, Dr John Connaughton. The course aims to teach participants how to manage their blood glucose levels by accurately calculating their insulin dose needs for meals, exercise and a changing lifestyle. 

According to Lorraine Kelly, MRH Senior Dietician,  this particular course, Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) has been shown to “improve control of blood glucose and to reduce the incidence of acute complications of diabetes such as severe hypoglycaemia (82% reduction) and diabetic ketoacidosis (62% reduction)." 

Outlining how the five week course will allow for weekly small group video support calls, Regina Healion, MRH Clinical Nurse Specialist in Diabetes notes that “this remote course consists of pre and post-course appointments as well as online learning from home which participants can complete in their own time and at their own pace.” 

The organisers hope that given the course is being run online it might fit in better with participants work and home commitments. By the end of the year, the diabetes team in Portlaoise hope to offer a choice of remote or face to face DAFNE courses. 

MRH General Manager, Michael Knowles, expressed his delighted that the hospital was now providing this “ well-structured course that allows participants to experience the incredible quality-of-life improvements reported by those in other countries who have attended similar courses." 

Anyone aged over 17, under the care of the diabetes service at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, can register to attend the Remote DAFNE programme by letting their consultant, nurse or dietitian know.