Getting everyone moving is high on the agenda this month for Rampton Hospital with a range of events taking place during Diabetes Awareness Week which runs from 12 to 18 June to raise awareness for Diabetes UK.
The event, which meets the Hospital’s quality target set for 2011/12, includes a week of activities from a health promotion day aiming to raise awareness of diabetes comprising; Chrysalis weight management demonstration, informative diabetes presentations, ‘Keep the Bike Moving’ challenge and healthy food sampling to a 10k charity run in aid of Diabetes UK, Help for Heroes and Retford Athletics. Staff netball, rounders and football matches will also take place during the week’s activities.
Patients will also join the ‘Keep the Bike Moving’ challenge, swimming galas, sponsored walks, food sampling, health promotion and dietetic advice.
The Hospital’s quality targets for this year focus on improving lifestyle trends and reducing coronary heart disease risk factors amongst the patient and staff population. The aim is to improve staff access to physical health related services and increase the uptake of physical activity opportunities on site.
Physical activity and sensible dietary intake are the basic foundations for a healthier lifestyle and it is important to maintain a balanced approach towards both. Physical inactivity and low levels of fitness coupled with poor dietary choices are major health risks.
Levels of physical activity and the health and fitness status of psychiatric patients have shown to be lower than the general population leading to psychiatric patients having higher rates of morbidity and premature mortality. Diabetes is one of the more prevalent diseases amongst the patient population at Rampton Hospital, at present one fifth of the patients in the hospital are diagnosed with diabetes.
Dr Mike Harris, Executive Director for Forensic Services, commented “Physical and mental health issues are equally important to our patients and staff. I am delighted to have this initiative at Rampton Hospital and hope that it not only inspires people to lead a more healthy life but also raises funds for Diabetes UK.”
Diabetes UK reports diabetes is a common life-long condition. There are 2.8 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and over 850,000 people who have it but don’t know.
Joy Tootell, Fundraising Manager (Midlands) Diabetes UK said “We are delighted to be working with the Healthy Lifestyle Team at Rampton Hospital in raising awareness of diabetes. Diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, is a serious condition which can lead to a variety of devastating complications. Raising awareness is key to preventing or at least delaying the onset of these complications and in managing type 2 diabetes correctly. We wish everyone at Rampton Hospital the very best of luck with all their events across Diabetes Week.’’
This event has been supported by local companies and Nottinghamshire Healthcare would like to thank them for their help in raising awareness of such an important health issue.
