Hello and welcome to any new families

HOLIDAYS

Thank goodness spring is here. If you're planning your summer holiday and need advice on travelling across time zones or managing diabetes whilst abroad, then please don't hesitate to contact your diabetes team.

ELI LILLY INSULIN WITHDRAWAL

Eli Lilly, one of the insulin manufacturers is withdrawing the following insulins from the beginning of June 2004: -

• Humulin M2
• Humulin M5

If you're still using this insulin then please contact your diabetes team as soon as possible to make the necessary changes

6MM NEEDLES

Dr Ken Strauss from Becton Dickinson Europe advocates the use of 6mm pen needles for children and adolescents as studies suggest that pain on injection and hypoglycaemic reactions are reduced when using the 5 or 6mm needle.

OPTIPEN PRO ALERT

The medical devices agency have sent out an alert about the optipen pro pen device for use with Glargine insulin. There have been problems with this device sticking and not delivering the correct insulin dose.

If you're using this device and are concerned, please don't hesitate to contact your diabetes team for advice and/or a change of pen device.

DETEMIR LAUNCH

A new basal insulin analogue, which lasts for up to 24 hours will be launched on 21/06/04 (similar to Glargine).  Detemir is made by Novo-nordisk and cartridges will fit into Novopens. It will also be available in a disposable flexpen. If you would like any further information, please ask your diabetes team.

PARENTS EVENING

I know it's a little way off but here's a date for your diary.

7 th October 2004 6.30 – 8.30pm

The parents evening will be held at Jades Restaurant, Gledhow Wing, SJUH.

PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES

As people may be aware, we are trying to obtain a specific psychology service for our diabetes team.

We may be a little more successful if we have requests from families for more psychology input. Perhaps some of you may be able to assist us by writing to Dr Campbell asking for better psychology input into our diabetes team.

Her address is: -

Dr F Campbell

Level 6

Gledhow Wing

St James's University Hospital

NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

As you may have seen from the press, there's a campaign for a Children's Hospital in Leeds .

At present a proposal has been sent to the Government outlining the case for a Children's Hospital in Leeds . The louder we all shout the more we will be heard.

ST JAMES'S APPOINTMENTS SYSTEM

Children and families who attend St James's clinic may be aware that there's a new appointments system in operation, which has had a few teething problems. If you haven't had an appointment recently or you are unsure, please contact your nurse specialist.

LGI AREA CHANGES

Now we have a new diabetes nurse, Melani Hill at the LGI, the named nurse for each area has changed slightly and are as follows: -

However, you may discuss your child's diabetes care with any one of us.

TO CONTACT US

Remember we are just a call, a note or an e-mail away.

St James's University Hospital

Tel: 0113 2066604

E-mail:

Carole Gelder

Carol Bacon

Jane Exall

Leeds General Infirmary

Tel: 0113 3923875

E-mail:   

Melani Hill

Julie Cropper

Wendy Sewell