Coop Pharmacy Locale offers free diabetes screenings to help raise awareness for Diabetes Week (13 -19 June)
ISLANDERS with concerns they may be Type Two diabetic will be able to access a free walk-in screening during Diabetes week at two Jersey Co-operative Pharmacy locations.
In conjunction with local charities, Diabetes Jersey and the Lion’s Club of Jersey, Pharmacy Locale in Grand Marché St Helier will be offering tests on Tuesday 14 June 2022, with Grand Marché St Peter on Thursday 16 June 2022, both between 9am and 4pm.
It is understood that there are around 4,500 islanders that have type two diabetes, equating to one in every twenty-five of the population, with screenings normally offered to islanders at a cost of £5 from all Jersey Pharmacy Locale locations.
The free screenings are being held to mark this year’s Diabetes Week, a national awareness campaign which runs from 13 to 19 June 2022. The diabetes test only takes between five and ten minutes and will take place in a private pharmacy consultation room by trained staff.
Sara Kynicos, superintendent pharmacist and head of Coop pharmacy care, said: “We have hosted similar events in the past to help raise awareness of diabetes, and the free screenings have always been very popular and well attended. The simple test could save a life, and by offering free screenings we hope to raise awareness of the symptoms and risks associated with diabetes and encourage early diagnosis.
“Since November 2020, all our Pharmacy Locales have been providing diabetes supplies for free to islanders living with both type one and type two diabetes, through a government funded scheme. We want to encourage islanders to be aware and on the lookout for symptoms of diabetes, such as fatigue, extreme thirst and irritability. We also wish to remind those with the condition that there is always help and support available to help you to manage your blood glucose levels, including local GP clinics, your nearest hospital diabetes clinic and websites such as Diabetes UK.”
For more information on type one and type two diabetes, please visit www.diabetesjersey.com.
More information about the diabetes screenings can be found at: channelislands.coop/diabetesscreenings
