Diabetes Unit shows new Medical Equipment
June 13, 2016
Councillor Margaret Tolerton, who raised funds for the Diabetes Unit at Lagan Valley Hospital in 2013-2014, has visited the team to see the specialist equipment that has been purchased from the fund-raising efforts to aid diabetes sufferers.
Dr Simon Au and Ms Hilda Francey were on hand to explain the purpose of the life-saving equipment.
Accompanying Councillor Tolerton was local resident Mr Davy Ferguson who has donated a cheque to the Diabetes Unit in the amount of £537.50. Davy donated the money to the Unit following donations received from friends and family after his wife passed away in 2015; and because his son has Type 1 Diabetes.
The Diabetes Unit is based at the Outpatients Department at the Lagan Valley Hospital. Its staff treat hundreds of people for the symptoms of diabetes, devise treatment programmes, offer health checks and provide medical assistance.
Dr Au explained how the various equipment aids diagnosis, medical intervention and assists with quality of life for people with diabetes. For instance, the Talking Scale, is specially made for the blind or the visually impaired and allows for an individual to weighs the correct portions of food.
The new Neurothesiometer machine is used in tests for early nerve sensation loss while the Dopplar device is used to measure blood flow to the feet. A new Urinalysis machine checks for protein levels in the urine and helps the Diabetes Team monitor the correct insulin dosage and kidney function. An Insulin Pump specifically for the blind or visually impaired will help with improving diabetes control.
Councillor Tolerton said: “As a person who has had diabetes all my life I cannot praise the team at Lagan Valley Hospital highly enough. From my own experience independence and a good quality of life is what is so important to people with diabetes. At the Lagan Valley Hospital you will be checked, measured and diagnosed by the fantastic medical professionals there and I am so pleased that the funds I raised, with the help of so many from my time as Mayor of the former Lisburn City Council, have been put to such good use.
“I would like to thank Davy Ferguson who has been so generous to donate over £500 to the Diabetes Unit. The money will be put to very good use. I would also like to thank Dr Au who I know very well from my years of attending the Clinic and I would like to mention the sterling care and attention provided to so many by Ms Hilda Francey, who is somewhat of a legend within the team. She has been so kind to so many people and is always cheery and positive when you come in and are having a bad day.
“I know Dr Au and the team will miss Hilda terribly when she retires, which is coming up at the end of June. She has been based at the Clinic since 1989, offering advice and support and is such a familiar face to so many people. I know so many of the community will join with me to wish her a very happy retirement.
“Finally I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who contributed to my Diabetes Unit Charity. It is wonderful to see all this equipment which will undoubtedly save lives,” she concluded.
On behalf of the Diabetes Team, Valerie Millar, Diabetes Specialist Nurse, also expressed thanks to Hilda for all her hard work and the care she has provided for patients over the years.