A NEW free NHS course is being offered to people living with type 2 diabetes in Leigh.

The DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) programme is a free six hour course designed to help people gain an understanding of the condition and provide practical skills to manage it effectively.

Anyone living in the borough who has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the last 12 months will be invited to attend a one day programme to help them manage their condition.

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Bridgewater), in partnership with Wigan Clinical Commissioning Group, is running DESMOND courses at health centres across the borough.

Celine Tracey, a DESMOND educator for Bridgewater said: “We understand it can be daunting time when you are first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

“Although diabetes can have serious health consequences such as heart disease and blindness, you can minimise these risks through careful management. This can range from leading a healthier lifestyle to making sure you have your flu jab.

“The DESMOND course is an excellent opportunity for people in Wigan borough to learn more about their condition, meet other people who have type 2 diabetes and put any questions they have to our friendly nurse educators.

“We urge anyone who gets a letter inviting them to a session to attend and they can even bring a carer or friend if they wish.”

Find out more at desmond-project.org.uk or call 01942 482231 to contact the DESMOND team.