Kay Malloch, Diabetes Specialist Nurse, recently presented 91 year-old Evelyn Emslie, who has diabetes, with the John MacLeod Medal. This was awarded by Diabetes UK in recognition of the courage and perseverance required to live with diabetes for 70 years.
Evelyn recollects how diabetes has changed over this time. She became unwell while studying for her MA at Aberdeen University in 1948, was admitted to Gray’s Hospital, Elgin and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
She spent several weeks in hospital, when she learnt how to test her urine for glucose, by adding 5 drops of urine and 10 drops of water into a test tube with a Clinitest tablet. She also learned to sterilize needles for injections and carbohydrate count.
Nowadays needles are disposable, education at the time of diagnosis is generally done in out-patients and testing involves compact blood glucose meters.
In February 2018, NHS Lothian was the first Scottish health board to implement the Freestyle Flash Glucose monitor for people who intensively manage their diabetes.
Since then, diabetes control has improved across all Lothian clinics, with the clinics at the Western General, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh (RIE) and Leith Community Treatment centre ranked 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the country.
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