Medway NHS Foundation Trust welcomed Rehman Chishti, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, to an event just before Christmas on diabetes and how it affects people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities.
The BME population of Kent and Medway numbers around 100,000 – around six percent of the total local population. Diabetes is very common among the Afro Caribbean and Asian communities and Mr Chishti wanted to find out what work was taking place locally to reach those affected by the disease.
Angela Moon, Diabetes Research Nurse at the Trust explained: “The event was very successful and it was a marvellous opportunity for us to play host to so many other esteemed organisations – the North East London Diabetes Research Network, the Comprehensive Local Research Network and the University of Greenwich.
“It enabled us all to see how we can work together in the future to facilitate diabetes research in the Medway area. Ultimately, this will benefit all those in Medway living with the disease.
“Mr Chishti also spent time with Dr Ian Scobie, Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at the Trust, who has been instrumental in ensuring that Medway has been short listed for a number of industry studies on diabetes.
“In the future, we hope to collaborate with academics from local universities and to continue with the support already provided by representatives from the Medway Ethnic Minority Forum. This will enable further research on the specific needs of those with diabetes in the BME community, to make sure our services meet their requirements.”
To find out more about Medway NHS Foundation Trust visit www.medway.nhs.uk.