Date for Hypo Awareness Week 2015

Hypo Awareness Week 2015 will take place from October  5 to 11, it has been announced.

The campaign raises awareness of hypoglycaemia in the inpatient setting with the aim of helping hospital staff recognise and treat symptoms and refer patients to appropriate care teams.

Last year, the campaign involved 150 hospitals across the country. This year’s focus is on nocturnal hypos.

Participating sites will receive an online resource pack and printed materials to raise awareness in their hospitals.

Novo Nordisk is once again the official partner for Hypo Awareness Week and the pack will contain ‘TALK Hypos’ resources to encourage people with diabetes to discuss hypoglycaemia with their health care professionals.

Night-time hypos can have a significant impact on the day-to-day function of people with diabetes. One study states that 65.8% of people experience at least one night-time hypo a month. Over a third of people with diabetes have never raised the symptoms of night-time hypos with their healthcare professional1. A major factor of this can be attributed to patients trying to cope with symptoms overnight and subsequently not seeking medical advice.

Over a fifth (22%) of people with diabetes in hospital will have experienced a largely avoidable hypoglycaemic episode as an inpatient within the past seven days, according to the National Diabetes Inpatient Audit. One in 10 will have experienced a severe hypoglycaemic episode and one in 50 will have required injectable treatment related to that patient due to the severity of the hypoglycaemia.2

To take part, please email oliver.jelley@ojpr.co.uk. You’ll then receive regular information and updates, as well as access to the online resource pack once available.

Hypo Awareness Week 2015 is a collaborative initiative fully funded by Novo Nordisk.