A free education programme for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has been commissioned by NHS Kernow.

The DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) programme is a six-hour course, delivered by Kernow Health CIC’s Cornwall Community Education Provider Network (CEPN), and aims to help people from across Cornwall who have recently been diagnosed and would like to improve how they manage their condition.

Paul Jeffery, project manager for Cornwall Community Education Provider Network (CEPN), said: ‘Type 2 diabetes can cause very serious health problems. It is the leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. The course provides a friendly, supportive environment and gives people the skills and information based on the latest research to make the right choices to manage type 2 diabetes.’

Patients wishing to attend should contact their GP for referral.