Diabetes doctor wants to gaininsight from young people

Diabetes specialist Dr. Athinyaa Thiraviaraj is encouraging young people to come along to an event in the Playhouse next week to find out about transitioning from children's services to adult services.
Dr. Athinyaa Thiraviaraj (centre) with memebrs of the Western Trust diabetes team.Dr. Athinyaa Thiraviaraj (centre) with memebrs of the Western Trust diabetes team.
Dr. Athinyaa Thiraviaraj (centre) with memebrs of the Western Trust diabetes team.

Dr. Thiraviaraj, Consultant Physician in Diabetes and Endocrinology at the Western Trust explained that the event is aimed at young people, aged between 14 to 23, and will take place in the city centre theatre between 4pm and 7pm on March 3.

“Growing up is a challenging time. It is full of new experiences, relationships and opportunities,” she said.

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“Diabetes can complicate this already complex situation. Between the ages of 15-18 years, young people change from children’s diabetes services to adults’ services in a process called transition.

“The event is an excellent opportunity for young people in the North West to influence and design services that will affect their personal diabetes care as this important time in their life,” Dr. Thiraviaraj said.

The primary aim of the event is to co-create a portfolio of tools and resources to facilitate transition care for young people with diabetes (YPWD).

Working in partnership with YPWD and their families/carers the aim is to launch the completed support portfolio by November 2017.

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The portfolio will include a range of tools and address two main areas: diabetes information sharing and healthcare information; and diabetes self-management support tools

Dr. Thiraviaraj said: “Planning and preparation is key to young people understanding their future care needs. We are looking forward to working with young people living with diabetes who are the true experts in their care.

“If you are 14 to 23 years and living with diabetes or parents/carers of young people with diabetes please come along to the Playhouse on March 3, for a bit of crack, some pizza and also share your views and have a say in your care and the local diabetes service.”