Julia Gilroy, Lead Nurse Diabetes Specialist and Manager at Solihull Community Diabetes Service

Locals from Solihull with diabetes or those who care for someone with the condition are invited to attend an open forum to discuss how to improve diabetes care in the area.

Taking place on Thursday 3 October at the Christian Renewal Centre, Lode Lane, the event is hosted by the NHS Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group and the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. It provides a unique opportunity to ask questions, offer feedback on the current diabetes services available and put forward any suggestions about how diabetes care could be improved in Solihull.

Diabetes affects a significant number of individuals in Solihull, with the NHS Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group identifying that more than 11,150 people aged 17 and over had been diagnosed with the condition in 2011/12.

There are three sessions to choose from: 1-3pm, 3:30-5:30pm and 6-8pm. The event will be chaired by Peter Shorrick, the Midlands Regional Manager at Diabetes UK. All sessions are free to attend and there is no need to reserve a place. Light refreshments will be served and free car parking is also available on-site.

Julia Gilroy, Lead Nurse Diabetes Specialist and Manager at Solihull Community Diabetes Service, said: “The most recent research tells us that diabetes affects more than 11,150 people in Solihull, and so this forum provides a great opportunity to assess the current level of GP, community and hospital based services we provide to people with diabetes and those close to them. We are very much looking forward to holding an open discussion and hearing feedback on current diabetes services including the strengths, weakness and ideas on how the service should look in the future. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.”

For more information, contact Solihull Community Diabetes Service on 0121 770 4432.