Working Life: Dr Karen Harrington, HSE National clinical specialist dietitian-diabetes, Cork/Kerry
Dr Karen Harrington, HSE National clinical specialist dietitian-diabetes, Cork/Kerry.
I have a wholegrain cereal breakfast before a 30-minute drive to Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre.
Supporting people with type 2 diabetes to live healthier and happier lives is our number one focus. The last 40 years have seen massive changes in the way we live our lives — we are less active, heavier, busier and eating more food outside the home, often processed.
This contributes to increased numbers being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It is serious but treatable. The HSE offers free type 2 diabetes support courses all around the country to help. I work with community dietitians and diabetes nurses committed to improving public and health care professional awareness of courses and developing services.
Orange, yogurt, and tea.
We are developing an online booking system for courses. Today I review progress with the project leads and plan next phases of work.
Places are currently booked by searching for ‘HSE diabetes education course’. The new system will allow people themselves, or a health care professional, to book them onto a course at a time and location that suits. The courses offer time to learn about diabetes and understand how the way we live our lives greatly affects treatment and prevention.
Homemade wholegrain sandwich, fruit and tea. I pop out for a 10-minute brisk walk and fresh air.
I prepare for our stand at next week’s National Ploughing Championships. Community Dietitians will support people with queries on prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and help them connect with a FREE support course.
We are developing videos to share people’s experience of completing courses. People report courses are informative, enjoyable, with helpful and approachable staff and importantly improve their diabetes care. We need to share this.
The end of a rewarding day brings me home to prepare dinner, roast vegetables and chicken, a weekly favourite. Later, a 30-minute walk and I am back training for a 5K. To relax I plan our next music event and holiday. These keep me recharged during the year.
