Free tests reveal dozens of potential diabetes sufferers

Saturday 15 December 2018

One in ten shoppers that took part in a recent free diabetes check offered by a local charity tested positive for the condition.

Over 350 shoppers at Grand Marché stores were tested as part of these free checks, with 10% of them learning that they may have type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes without even knowing it.

They have now been referred to their doctor for a confirmation of the diagnosis.

Diabetes Jersey and the Co-operative organised the free testing days to raise awareness about the condition as well as educating islanders about how to reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Due to the success and high demand of the first free testing days, Diabetes Jersey and the Co-operative have plans to team up again throughout next year as well as expanding the in-store facilities for testing.

Currently, 5,000 Jersey people are known to have diabetes, which accounts for 5% of the island's population. If the condition is left unchecked, it can have serious implications.

This latest news comes just as a petition calling for an electronic blood sugar monitoring device to be made free for all islanders reached over 1,000 signatures, meaning that a Minister will have to respond to it.

Pictured: Free tests conducted at Jersey's two Grand Marché stores last month showed that 10% of shoppers tested positive for diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Despite being described as "life-changing" by one local mother who shared her experience with diabetes with Express, the States do not currently provide it freely, meaning that adult islanders have to shell out hundreds of pounds.

Diabetes Jersey currently foots the £20,000 annual bill to pay for 45 diabetic children to have this new device and are campaigning for Social Security to fund the cost.