Let's Talk Diabetes - A podcast from Diabetes UK Northern Ireland

Join us as we explore the world of diabetes through our new podcast ‘Let’s Talk Diabetes’ – here you’ll hear first-hand from people living with diabetes, local healthcare professionals and members of the Diabetes UK Northern Ireland team.

Whether you or someone you know is living with diabetes, you’ll find lots of helpful information, resources and advice to support you and your loves ones. Make sure to also keep an ear our for our special guest’s top tips for people living with diabetes.

Find us on Apple, Spotify, or you can stream for free on our hosting site Acast. Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Episode 1: Know Your Team

In this first episode our host Suzy is joined by Heather Bell, a GP in Carrickfergus, and Paul McMullan, a Consultant in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. Both Heather and Paul took an interest in diabetes care early on in their career and now specialise in it.

Here we discuss what you'll start to experience when newly diagnosed and the healthcare professionals you will begin to work with along the way. 

Episode 2: Know Your Team Pt 2

Following on from our previous episode; 'Know Your Team', here Suzy chats to Sara Carse, an independent Diabetes Nurse Consultant working all over Northern Ireland, and Lesley Hamilton, who is a Diabetes Dietitian based in the Western Trust in the Altnagelvin Hospital. 

In this episode we chat about what to expect when you're newly diagnosed with diabetes, covering initial appointments, diet, education programmes and much more. 

Episode 3: Know Your Numbers

In the third episode we’re joined once more by Sara Carse, an independent Diabetes Nurse Consultant and Niall O’Kane, a GP Pharmacist from Maghera Medical Centre in Mid-Ulster. 

Suzy chats with Sara and Niall about the numbers involved with managing diabetes, breaking them down to discuss what they are used for and the meaning behind them. Our guests provide a focus on how to measure blood sugars; HbA1c and finger-prick testing, blood pressure and kidney tests. 

Episodes 4-6: Emotional Wellbeing and Resilience Series 

Taking place over three episodes, we’re joined by Mark Davies, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working in Belfast City Hospital, who is also involved in a number of ongoing research projects.

Here we explore emotional wellbeing and resilience when living with diabetes and how healthcare professionals can support people’s emotional wellbeing during their diabetes journey. 

Episode 7 – A Year in Review!

With the year drawing to a close, our host Suzy is joined by other members of the Diabetes UK Northern Ireland team as we reflect on a very busy 2023 and look ahead to our plans for next year. 

Here you’ll also catch Suzy handing her hosting reins over to Sam from our team who will guide you through the next exciting segment of our podcast, featuring members of Our Lives Our Voices as they share their experiences as young people living with type 1 diabetes. Our Lives Our Voices is a youth project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, which supports young people living with type 1 diabetes, aged 11-25. 

If you are affected by any topics discussed, please do reach out to our helpline team on 0345 123 2399 for support.

The views and opinions of the guests are their personal or professional opinions and may not reflect the views or advice of Diabetes UK NI. The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's important you always speak with your healthcare team for specific medical advice.