Norwich diabetic heads to parliament with type one diabetes charity JDRF
Raising the issue of why insulin pumps are not more available to people with type one diabetes
Kim Briscoe Tuesday, May 1, 2012
6.30 AM
A Norwich diabetic has helped to educate MPs about type one diabetes as part of a landmark lobby group.
Amy Turner travelled to the Houses of Parliament with other supporters of the charity JDRF, which raises funds for research into type one diabetes.
The 29-year-old, who lives off Elm Hill, said wanted to help raise awareness of the condition among MPs and to encourage them to take action to increase funding into medical research into type one diabetes.
She said: “We definitely got our point across, made quite a lot of noise and raised the profile of the condition.
“We and the charity are now trying to capitalise on what we have started.”
Miss Turner, who works for The Prince’s Trust and set up support group Circle D Norwich, met up with her MP Simon Wright on the day and raised the issue of why insulin pumps are not more available to people with type one diabetes, as they can lead to a better quality of life and fewer complications.
Mr Wright said: “Amy has done brilliant work in supporting other young diabetics in Norwich. I pay tribute to her efforts in setting up the Circle D Norwich support group and raising awareness of this condition.
“During our meeting in Parliament, Amy presented me with a report produced by the JDRF which highlights the enormous cost to society of type 1one diabetes. They’ve estimated a cost of £1.9 billion as a result of treatment costs to the NHS and of lost productivity. These costs will only increase in time. It’s vital that we ensure adequate research into this condition is taking place so that one day a cure can be found. I’ve previously raised this matter with Health Ministers, and following my recent meeting with Amy I have now written to the Science Minister David Willetts as well to call for his support on this issue.”
