A NEW campaign has been launched to support people with diabetes.

‘Learn to live well with diabetes’ advertises the benefits of attending free NHS courses which are run by diabetes specialist nurses and dietitians.

People living with diabetes in the area are being urged to book themselves onto NHS courses.

Information leaflets and posters are being distributed to all GPs. The campaign is led by the Suffolk and North East Essex sustainability and transformation partnership.

Lorna Sainsbury, 47 from Mersea, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 20 years ago.

She has completed a course on adjusting her diet.

She said: “It’s amazing that even after 20 years, there is still so much to learn about my diabetes.

"The course has taught me a lot about carb-counting and it was great to do the course alongside others who face the same challenges as me.”

National charity Diabetes UK is supporting the campaign. Its head of care, Dan Howath, said: “Diabetes is a serious and complex condition which can lead to devastating health complications, such as amputations, blindness and strokes if not managed well.

"Free education courses are vital for helping people with diabetes understand and manage their condition better.

“These courses have a brilliant, positive impact, and evidence shows that attending a structured education course can improve diabetes control, and in turn reduce the risk of potentially life-changing complications.”

To find out more visit www.mydiabetes.org.uk.