I AM URGING people with diabetes in and around Newport to start talking about their care and how our local health services can be improved.

During Diabetes Week (June 8-14), I met Wales’ Health Minister Mark Drakeford and Gwyn Price AM, to discuss my concerns about people in the area with Type 1 diabetes not being able to access insulin pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensors, which could help improve their management of the condition.

The event was organised by Jenny Rathbone AM and Diabetes UK Cymru as a chance for people living with diabetes to share their stories with their local representatives.

As someone who is living with Type 1 diabetes and has done for 33 years, it is really important that my voice is heard and that I can represent the other 8,000 people living with diabetes in Newport.

I would like to encourage anyone who would like to improve diabetes services in the area to contact their local AM.

Meeting my AM has given me the chance to talk about my positive and negative experiences of living with the condition and the treatment I receive from my Health Board. We need patient voices to be heard loudly and clearly by those who can make real changes.

Kate Matthews, Penrhiw Avenue, Blackwood