Introducing IDDT
We are an organisation for people living with diabetes run by people living with diabetes. We recognise that when one person in a family lives with diabetes, this affects other family members and we offer support to partners and parents. We raise awareness of important issues for people with diabetes and provide information in non-medical language.
A charity based in the UK listening to people with diabetes and their carers and supporting their needs. The Trust is run entirely by voluntary donations and we do not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry in order to remain uninfluenced and independent.
The Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT) is a registered charity and was formed in 1994. We are concerned with listening to the needs of people who live with diabetes, understanding those needs and doing our utmost to offer help and support. We not only want to help those who actually have diabetes but also their carers – the husbands, wives, partners and parents, indeed, all of us who ‘live with diabetes’. We recognise that when one person in a family has diabetes, all other family members are affected to a greater or lesser extent and they all have views and needs which may be different from the person with diabetes, but nevertheless are important.
The Trust was set up to look at some of the day to day difficulties of living with diabetes, the worries, fears and concerns that perhaps we don’t talk about at the hospital clinic- the ones that many of us experience and understand because we actually live with diabetes. As a charity, IDDT has a Board of Trustees and all our Trustees either have diabetes or have family members with diabetes. So we all know first hand that while diabetes doesn’t rule our lives, it is an important part of them. It needs care and attention, it can be a nuisance and it is not without it’s problems!
Latest News
Tips for Jubilee Parties
With the Queen’s Jubilee this year there is a range of all types of parties being held to celebrate and no matter what type of party – it means food and drinks to tempt you to over-indulge.
For those with diabetes parties can be a challenge as to what to eat to fit in with their diet. Indeed, some people will avoid any party as they do not want to face temptations on offer.
Gluten Free Diets – An Update
By Dr Mabel Blades, Freelance Dietician and Nutritionist
On 1st January 2012 the rules about making claims as regards which foods are gluten free changed.
Background
A number of people suffer from coeliac disease and while this used to be regarded as a simple food intolerance, it is now regarded as an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues (thus there is a link with Type 1 diabetes). In people with coeliac disease the autoimmune reaction is triggered by gluten, which is the name of the protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Some people with the condition are also sensitive to oats.
First ever mandatory care standards to improve the level of care of children and young people with diabetes
Announced in early April 2012, every child and young person with diabetes in England can expect an improvement in their level of care as a landmark funding agreement for paediatric diabetes services comes in to force.
The ‘Best Practice Tariff for Paediatric Diabetes’ sets out 13 mandatory care standardsfor paediatric diabetes service teams to meet. Providers who can prove they meet these levels of care will qualify for greater funding. Local services unable to achieve these standards will be supported to improve but face having their funding withdrawn if unable to reach the required level by April 2013.
National Diabetes Inpatient Audit
In March 2011, the National Diabetes Inpatient Audit information for England and Wales was published. This provides a wide range of information about the care of people with diabetes in hospital and their experiences. It is a measure of where improvements need to be made. To look at the key findings click here:
Driving and hypoglycaemia – what are doctors being advised to do?
The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists [ABCD] has recognised that the EU Directive on standards of driving in diabetes will have a significant impact not only on drivers with diabetes but also on the doctors who complete medical reports for the DVLA. The ABCD has clarified their response to the Directive and this basically advises doctors on their actions with their patients on the most important change – hypoglycaemia. [Practical Diabetes Vol. 29 No1] It seems sensible that people with diabetes know what advice their doctors are receiving, so below are the key points in the ABCD recommendations to doctors.
The Health and Social Care Bill becomes Law
After over a year going through Parliament and 374 amendment generated by the House of Lords, on March 20th MPs cast their final vote and the Health and Social Care Bill was approved by a government majority of 88. On March 27th, it received Royal Assent and will now be known as the Health and Social Care Act (2012).
Now Available:
March’s Newsletter and Type 2 and You, and Parents’ Bulletin
Click here for March’s Newsletter
Click here for March’s Type 2 and You
Click here for March’s
Parents’ Bulletin
Mixtard 30 has gone, Actraphane is identical and available in the EU but not to people in the UK
Actraphane is a pre-mix 30/70 insulin made by Novo Nordisk which is similar or near-identical insulin to Mixtard 30 and the MHRA have informed IDDT that it is licensed in the UK. Why weren’t patients and Health professionals informed at the time of the Mixtard 30 discontinuation? Are patients really at the centre of care, to find out more click here:
Then after click:
Information about Actraphane
IDDT’s letter to Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley
Earl Howe responds to IDDT
IDDT’s further response to Earl Howe
Launch of Hospital Passports
Following the release of information about the numbers of people with diabetes in hospital at any one time and the problems that can occur, IDDT has launched the Hospital Passport. This will help people with diabetes when they go into hospital by providing vital Information about their diabetes and how they manage their treatment. It also enables people to include information about all their medicines, their mealtimes, diet and any allergies.
We hope that people with diabetes will be able to take the opportunity of using the Hospital Passport whenever they are admitted to Hospital and that health professionals will give them to their patients.
Useful links
It is important that people have a fully informed choice of insulin so that they can choose the type of insulin and the regime that suits them and their lifestyle.
Insulin Choices – The Evidence
Animal insulins are available in the UK
Pork insulin available in Australia
Replacement pork insulin available in
Canada
Use of Pork Insulin in Pumps
Reviews and Reports
The IDDT Book Shop
IDDT can now take online orders for books via the IDDT Book Shop. We currently have 2 highly rated books for sale – Collins Carb Counter and Arthur Teuscher’s ‘Insulin – A Voice For Choice’. Both are available at very competitve prices – and with free delivery*!
*Unfortunately IDDT can only deliver books free of charge within the UK.
Year 6 Lesson Plan
All About Diabetes – Free Lesson Plan & Resources for Primary Schools
There are about 2.5 million people with diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Nationally there is still a long way to go in educating people about both types of diabetes.
To try to help this situation and so that children can grow up with a basic understanding of diabetes and how it affects both children and adults, we have produced a PSHE Year Six Lesson Plan accompanied by resources which can be used as a class presentation or as a research tool.
For Lesson Plans click here
KS2 Curriculum Mapping
KS3 Curriculum Mapping
For Resources click here
For how to use the Resources
click here
Stepping Out For IDDT
Winter’s over and the better weather is here, so maybe it’s time to help yourself and IDDT – by walking in our Stepping Out Campaign. Last year our members took over 1 million steps which helped to raise awareness of diabetes and helped them to take more exercise!
Get Your Free IDDT Shirt & Pedometer
& Support People with Diabetes
Meet Wilbert!
Here at IDDT we are very proud to introduce our mascot. We are hoping our mascot will be able to educate and support children with and without diabetes all across the country.
If you live in the UK, the new member to
the IDDT team wants to give you one of
our free ‘Goodie Bags’
Where’s Wilbert? Click here
for photos of Wilbert on his
global travels!
» Tips for Jubilee Parties
» Better Care for Children
» Update on gluten-free diets
» March's IDDT Newsletter
Type 2 & You, And
Parents' Bulletin
» DVLA, driving and diabetes
Please show your support by joining IDDT now.
Membership is FREE but we do appreciate donations to help with our costs.
Find out the great benefits of becoming a member. 
IDDT has a CONFIDENTIAL Helpline, find out more.
Just want to donate?
You don't have to be a member to donate, simply follow either of the links provided. Thank you.
For further information
click here
For further information
click here
'Understanding Your Diabetes' is a new FREE booklet from IDDT. It explains the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and supports people with both types of diabetes by removing some of the harmful myths and misunderstandings.
Find out more...
Recycle to raise funds
for IDDT
Old mobile phone and empty inkjet cartridges click here
Unwanted CDs and DVDs
click here
Give to IDDT with eBay
click here
IDDT appears on
NHS ONLINE TV
'LIVING WITH DIABETES'
It can be viewed on demand at the following link:
Lesson Plans click here
Resources click here
How to use the Resources
click here
NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health.
Information regarding the
IDDT Events Calendar.
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust
PO Box 294
Northampton
NN1 4XS
UK
01604 622837
01604 622838
enquiries@iddtinternational.org
An umbrella organisation
