Diabetes UK Bexley Support Group

3:34pm Tuesday 17th June 2008

AT THE May meeting, members were given a moving and fascinating talk by Sir Michael Hirst, vice president of Diabetes UK.

While an MP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden during the 1980s, his four-year-old daughter became very ill.

He described how he carried her into hospital, not knowing what was the matter with her.

Sir Michael and his wife found their daughter had Type 1 diabetes and would have to have insulin injections for the rest of her life.

On returning to the House of Commons he learned of a proposal to provide disposable syringes on prescription for those affected by HIV was made by the Minister for Health, Edwina Curry.

While supporting this proposal, Sir Michael felt it was vital to extend availablity of disposable syringes to insulin dependent diabetics, and won the support of Margaret Thatcher.

He paid tribute to the many volunteers who support the charity as well as the officers from Diabetes UK and all his family who continue to work tirelessly on behalf of those with diabetes.

The group meets on the third Friday of each month (excluding August) at the United Reform Church, Geddes Place, Bexleyheath at 7.30pm. Call 020 8302 2446.

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