TWO patients were presented with medals to mark more than 50 years of safely and successfully self-managing their diabetes at a special event at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT).

Sarah Goodliffe, of Waltham Abbey in Essex, who has lived with diabetes for 60 years (pictured, left, with Andy Morris, chief medical officer); and Anthony Lione, of Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, (pictured, left) who has lived with diabetes for 50 years; were invited to attend the event last week in celebration of supporting patients to live well with the condition.

Kerry Shipton, of Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, also received a medal for 50 years of self-managing diabetes, but she was not available to attend. The ceremony was held to mark World Diabetes Day on 14 November.

Sarah said: “It’s not a life sentence, you have to make adjustments and you have to be willing to learn from how you react to what’s happening.
“I’ve ridden ponies, ridden horses, and I’ve played league badminton, so your life is your own and you can make it what you will.”

Andy Morris, chief medical officer at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: “We help to ensure that patients can live well with diabetes through careful self-management, supported by advice and regular check-ups with our diabetes team.

“We are proud of the work our diabetes team undertake every day so that our patients access the right care, in the right place, at the right time. This reduces the likelihood of patients developing complications as a result of diabetes or needing to attend hospital in an emergency.

“As Sarah, Anthony and Kerry have shown, people with diabetes can lead a full and active life with the condition when they have the right support.”