Diabetes UK News Release

Diabetes UK News Release

24 February 2006

Take part in Diabetes UK survey of firefighters and control staff with diabetes - download form here

A survey of firefighters and control staff (operational personnel) with diabetes is being launched today. The survey is part of a national project to find out how the Fire Service has accommodated personnel with diabetes since the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was extended to cover the emergency services in October 2004.

Diabetes UK is carrying out the survey with the support of the following organisations: the International Register of Firefighters with Diabetes (IRFD), the National Disabled Fire Service Employees Association, the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, Fire Officers’ Association, the Retained Firefighters Union, the Fire Brigades Union and the Disability Rights Commission. This project is a unique opportunity as it is the first time that all those organisations have come together to produce a survey of the experience of people with diabetes in the Fire Service.

Simon O’Neill, Director of Care and Policy at Diabetes UK said, “This survey will give us a detailed picture of what is currently happening within the service. We know that there is no reason why officers with well controlled diabetes should not be able to carry out their duties. The findings of this survey will help us to promote good practice and start a constructive dialogue with employers.”

With this survey Diabetes UK hopes to improve the position of people with diabetes who are currently working in the fire and rescue service but also to ensure that those who wish to join the service are not prevented from doing so because of their diabetes.

In April 2006, Diabetes UK will also be conducting a survey of employers and questionnaires will be sent to all fire and rescue services in the UK. Using both surveys’ findings Diabetes UK will then produce a detailed report which will help highlight and share good practice.

Firefighters and other operational staff with diabetes, especially insulin users, should now be individually assessed before any decision is taken regarding their fitness to undertake duties. Under the DDA it is now unlawful for an employer to operate blanket bans on the recruitment of people with diabetes. Similarly, if an employee develops diabetes whilst in employment, reasonable adjustments must be made to accommodate them.

To request a survey please contact: Naomi Goldberg (Mondays and Tuesdays) or Fabienne Jacquet (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) on 020 7424 1161. You can also email fabienne.jacquet@diabetes.org.uk or naomi.goldberg@diabetes.org.uk.

The deadline to return the questionnaires is 31st March 2006. Replies to the survey will be kept confidential.

ENDS

For further information, please contact: Naomi Goldberg (Mondays and Tuesdays) or Fabienne Jacquet (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) on 020 7424 1161. For urgent out of hours media enquiries call 07711 176 028.

Notes to editors

1	Diabetes UK is the charity for people with diabetes. With 170,000 members we are the largest patient body in Europe and one of the largest funders of diabetes research in the UK. Diabetes UK spends £5 million on research every year.
2	Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body can’t use it properly
3	Over two million people are diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and there are probably another million who have the condition without realising it.
4	Membership of Diabetes UK is £22/year with reductions available. In addition to our bi-monthly magazine Balance, members receive support and the latest information on diabetes care and treatments to help them live a healthy life.
5	The Diabetes UK Careline (0845 120 2960) offers information and support on any aspect of managing diabetes. The line is a lo-call number and opens Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (operates a translation service). Recorded information on a number of diabetes-related topics is also available on this number 24 hours a day.
6	The emergency services includes the Fire, Police and Ambulance Services. The DDA also covers the Prison Service. The only occupation explicitly excluded from the DDA is the Armed Forces.