One of our Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurses will be travelling to South Africa next month, joining colleagues from the eastern region on a trip that will provide educational workshops and support to health care staff, children with diabetes and their parents.
Health professionals and young people who are part of the East of England Children and Young People’s Diabetes Network will be embarking on the trip to the Cape Town area of South Africa at the end of March.
Partnering with the Tygerberg Hospital, the second largest hospital in South Africa, the regional team - which will include James Paget Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse Sister Gillian Macgregor-Linnett (pictured above) - will provide an insight into diabetes care in the UK as well as taking part in workshops for parents and carers of children with Type 1 diabetes.
They will meet with health care professionals from around the greater Cape Town area for a two-day symposium on diabetes care and take part in a number of other activities, including a two-night camp with hospital staff and young people from South Africa who have diabetes.
Youth volunteers travelling with team will paint a mural at one of the children’s wards at Tygerberg Hospital and the trip will also include the visitors from East Anglia hosting a party – including party games, activities and Easter treats - for young people at the St Joseph’s Home for Chronically Ill Children.
Away from the working part of expedition, there will also be the opportunity for some sightseeing in Cape Town – including a trip to Table Mountain - before the group return on Monday 10 April.
The project aims to be a reciprocal learning experience for all who participate and be a rewarding way of sharing good practice and gaining knowledge.
Gill said; “As part of the visit there will be workshops for parents and a symposium for health professionals and we will be sharing some of the things we do in the UK. I will be speaking about blood glucose checking and injection technique for the workshops, and transitioning from child to adult diabetes care at the Symposium. We hope that this exchange of knowledge will support young people and their families in South Africa, and give members of our network the chance to experience a different culture, learn new things and make new friends.”
The group are currently fundraising to raise money to run the symposium and the diabetes education camp, with donations going to improve the lives of, and outcomes for, children and young people with type 1 diabetes. If you would like to support the initiative you can donate here; https://www.justgiving.com/team/botswanadiabetespartnershipproject2023staff
Please note the link refers to the original destination for the 2023 trip (Botswana) but funds will now be put towards the South African trip instead.