Diabetes UK’s Sick Day Rules are now available to download free in 12 other languages other than English. As a result, these invaluable resources can be accessed far more widely than before, reaching many of the people who need them the most.
Sick Day Rules are a set of clear instructions, devised by health professionals, to help people with diabetes keep their sugar levels as close to target as possible when they are ill, and management of the condition is difficult.
This information is particularly critical currently – as the national coronavirus data shows a disproportionate infection and death rate in BAME communities, as well as in people with diabetes. People from the BAME community are at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and those from the South Asian, African-Caribbean or Black African backgrounds are 2-4 times more likely to develop the condition.
The translations were made possible thanks to a medical education grant from Napp Pharmaceuticals to Sirona care & health which provides community specialist diabetes services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire in the South West.
Nicki Mead, Bristol Clinical Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse, said: “Having these resources available for our service users and communities in their own language is really important for the community we serve.
“We strive to treat every person individually and by providing this free clinical information in a range of community languages ensures we are offering the best possible way to support self-management of the condition, even when they are unwell.”
The resources are available to download in the following languages – Arabic, Hindi, Nepali, Romanian, Simplified Chinese (China), Somali, Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong), Urdu, Polish, Bengali, Punjabi (India) and Turkish.
Phaedra Perry, Regional Head Diabetes UK South West, said: “We are delighted that this critical resource can now be easily accessed and used by so many more of the people who need it the most, particularly at such a challenging time.”
