The group was again this year invited, by the Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust, to provide a stand at the Diabetes Community Conference on the 4 Nov, held at the Hatherly Manor Hotel.  The Group Committee were only to happy to accept the invitation.  The conference was aimed at health care professionals from around the county who have an interest in diabetes treatment and care.

Mike Broome and Mike Coombs were able to attend and early on a rather damp & chilly morning arrived at the conference venue to set up our stall.  Also present with a stand, was Geoff Davies, the Treasurer of the Forest of Dean Diabetes UK Group.  Most of the other stands were either from NHS medical services , or  companies who manufacture and supply diabetes related equipment and medicines.

The day proved very successful with a large number of delegates coming to speak to us and find out more of what we do and how we can help those with diabetes.  Whilst it was good to talk to so many medical staff, it was a little worrying to find many either did not know of the groups existence or only had a vague idea about what we do.  However, hopefully many of them are much more knowledgeable about us!

It was  also great to meet Geoff and swap stories about how the two groups are getting on and to find out that we seem to be very similar in some issues, in particular recruiting and retaining  new members.  It was also interesting looking at the commercial stands to see the latest technologies in blood testing meters and medicines.

It was good to talk to so many medical staff and to raise the Groups profile with them.  I would like to thank Karen Pudge from the  Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust  for inviting us to attend.

Mike Broome
Group Chair