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Type 2 Diabetes

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It usually affects those over 40; or 25 if you are of South Asian descent, although it is becoming more common among young people.
People with type 2 diabetes either don’t make enough insulin; or they don’t make insulin that the body can use properly.

The cells in the body become resistant to insulin, so that more insulin is needed to control blood glucose levels.

Sometimes, the pancreas wears out from producing all this extra insulin, and it may start making less insulin.

We usually manage Type 2 through healthier eating, being more active or losing weight. Some people take tablets and/or inject insulin to help manage their Type 2 diabetes.

The symptoms of T2 diabetes are the same as those for T1 but are harder to spot in T2 because they develop more slowly. Symptoms to look out for are:

Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night
Being really thirsty
Feeling more tired than usual
Losing weight without trying to
Genital itching or thrush
Cuts and wounds take longer to heal
Blurred vision

Useful links

Useful information and resources

Support groups

Diabetes UK offers useful information on childhood diabetes as well as travel information and children’s holidays

Unexpected closure of lifts in Beeden House and reduced lift capacity in the Main Block, Bedford Hospital

Beeden House

We have had to make the difficult decision to close both lifts in Beeden House after finding an unexpected fault during routine maintenance.

This means that there will be disruption to services and appointments on the upper floors of Beeden House.

We are currently contacting patients to find the best individual solution for them, minimise disruption and ensure they continue to receive the care they need. At this point you do not need to contact us, we will contact all affected patients.

The decision to close the lifts was hard, but we felt it was the safest decision to best protect our patients and staff.

Reduced lift capacity in the Main Block

Please be aware our lifts in the Main Block currently have reduced capacity. In order to maintain lift functions and minimise traffic in the remaining lifts, we will be prioritising high priority movements.

Staff, patients and visitors can access the main block lifts if required, but may be asked to wait at main reception while other priority movements are made. A minimum of 4 people will be required before the lift departs. Security staff operating the lifts will be mindful that not all disabilities are visible and make appropriate accommodations for non-ambulant staff and visitors.

We apologise for the inconvenience the closure of lifts and reduced lift capacity will cause.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and support.