A NEW round of Diabetes Made Easy courses has been launched by Airedale Hospital.

More information sessions are being made available from this month at venues across the Keighley, Skipton and Ilkley areas.

The courses, first held earlier this year, are aimed at people with type two diabetes.

There are also special two-hour-long sessions for patients from the South Asian community who want to learn more about their condition.

Urdu and Punjabi language support is provided and resources have been adapted with appropriate food models and concepts.

A short video outlining what the courses involve can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=0wnaUJhqtXg.

Jane Brophy, lead diabetes specialist dietitian for structured education at the hospital, said: “Patients only need to come along to one session to gain a broad understanding of what diabetes is and the best ways to manage it.”

Language support worker, Yasmin Maskin, said a pilot session at the Highfield Centre in Keighley had been hugely successful.

“Participants went away having learned something new about the condition,” she added.

And colleague Shamim Akhtar said: “They are one-off sessions and take place in community locations including Roshni Ghar and North Street Surgery in Keighley.

“Diabetes education is extremely important, as understanding the condition is the key to managing it.”

For more details about the sessions and to book a place, call 01535 294290 or e-mail diabetesED@anhst.nhs.uk. GP surgeries can also refer patients.