Trials to seek new diabetes treatments

8:00am Monday 11th June 2007

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Diabetics across Oxfordshire are being recruited to help develop pioneering treatments and therapies for their disease.

Oxford has been appointed one of eight UK research networks for diabetes by the Department of Health, and hospital staff will work closely with Oxford University scientists to further studies into the illness.

The news coincides with National Diabetes Week, which started today.

The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust is being paid £1.2m a year for three years to carry out clinical trials at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metablism, at the Churchill Hospital, Headington.

Honorary senior lecturer at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust and Oxford University Dr Andrew Farmer, who is leading the project, said many of Oxfordshire's 18,400 diabetics would directly benefit from the work.

He said: "Patients will have a greater opportunity to not only participate in research but also to help shape the research that goes on locally.

"This network will help give people access to new treatments and disease management techniques.

"I'm excited at the possibility of local people with diabetes being able to take part in such a wide range of research studies through this network.

Mr Farmer added: "This work is vital to help improve treatment of diabetes."

Diabetes causes the body to stop making insulin, which breaks down blood sugars.

It now affects around five per cent of the adult population.

The illness is seen as a major issue in the UK, which is why the Department of Health has invested so much into researching the disease.

The Oxford-based team, called the Thames Valley Diabetes Local Research Network, will work with GP surgeries and hospitals across Thames Valley, Coventry and Warwickshire to ensure that new treatments and procedures are tested quickly under strict guidelines.

Meanwhile, Community dieticians will be giving out information about healthy eating and exercise this week to help raise awareness about diabetes.

Working with Diabetes UK, during National Diabetes Week, the team will be available at East Oxford Health Centre, Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, Oxford, to offer support to people and explain how healthy living can reduce the risk of the illness.

Ruth Ponting, community dietician said: "People visiting our informative diabetes stand will leave with the simple message: making small changes to diet and lifestyle can really make a difference to your diabetes and health."