14th November 2006

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A new patient education website on diabetes developed with the assistance of experts from the University of Ulster goes live today – World Diabetes Day.

The site, www.diabetesulster.com began as a joint venture between the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust and the University and was taken forward by the Ulster Institute of eHealth.

By accessing the site patients and healthcare professionals in the North Down and Ards area can learn of the local services available for monitoring, managing and treating the disease.

Today’s launch at the Culloden Hotel forms part of a number of initiatives planned at highlighting the impact of diabetes to both the individual and society as a whole.

Diabetes is reaching pandemic proportions worldwide and this is reflected in the increasing numbers of people with diabetes here in Northern Ireland. In fact, the Institute of Public Health predicts the current prevalence in Northern Ireland to be greater that 5% of the total population. This has a major impact on health resources not to mention the future impact on our community.

Dr Paul McCullagh, a senior lecturer at the School of Computing and Maths, who helped develop the site with Dr Roy Harper, Consultant Physician and University of Ulster visiting professor, said: “It is hoped that highlighting awareness of diabetes and launching a website for local people (and the wider population) will go some way to educating the public on a condition that is fast reaching epidemic proportions.”

Guest speaker at the launch was Mr Howard Wells, Chief Executive of the Irish Football Association, who is keen to promote the message of increased awareness and self-management of diabetes.

It is planned to enhance the site at a later date to enable patients within the Ulster Community & Hospitals Trust catchment area to upload medical information for use by doctors in monitoring their condition.

The Ulster Institute of eHealth is a collaborative development between the University and the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust. The Institute is particularly interested in clinical applications which support the clinicians in diagnosis and treatment and, ultimately, to support patients in their own environment.

This involves:
• Provision of health information to healthcare professionals and patients.
• Use of the Internet for the collection of health-related information, providing a ‘virtual clinic’.
• Analysis of health information for better diagnosis and management.
• Use of Information and Communications Technology for telecare.

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For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young