PEOPLE with diabetes across South Gloucestershire are being encouraged to give feedback on a new community service.


Sirona Care & Health, a not-for-profit health and social care service, is introducing a new community diabetes service in conjunction with the South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and GP practices.


Sirona launched a questionnaire on Tuesday, August 25, to find out what people with the condition want from The Diabetes Community Service, which is due to launch in the autumn.


The aim is to improve the quality of life for individuals and enable them to live better for longer in their own homes, avoid unnecessary hospital admission and give them as much control and choice over managing their condition as possible.


Head of specialist nursing services at Sirona, Rosemary Carroll, said: “Individuals will have access to specialist assessment and an individually developed programme of care. We will be working with people to promote self-management and empowerment for those living with diabetes.


“There can be complications from diabetes such as amputation, blindness, kidney failure and stroke. This new service aims to ensure individuals have support as early as possible as this has the potential for significant health benefits.


“Our aim is to give those with the condition as much choice and control over its management as possible and reduce the number of crises they experience.

"We particularly want to reduce the need for hospital admission and help those with diabetes to live longer and healthier lives.”


The Diabetes Community Service will be integrated within Sirona’s existing community services to ensure a wrap-around holistic approach giving the best possible level of support with care tailored to an individual's needs.


It will offer support to people in their own home or a clinic setting and people will initially be referred by their own GP.


To fill out the questionnaire visit sirona-cic.org.uk/your-view.