Helping families stay ahead of diabetes
Children and young people across east Kent are being offered a quick, free finger-prick test that could identify their future risk of developing type 1 diabetes, before any symptoms appear.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) is hosting a series of summer screening clinics as part of the ELSA Study (early surveillance for autoimmune diabetes), a national research programme open to children and young people aged two to 17.
What's involved?
The test takes around five minutes. A simple finger-prick blood sample is taken, and results help identify those at risk early, giving families access to monitoring, support and opportunities to take part in future treatment studies if their child is identified as being at risk.
Last year, nearly 600 children took part through KCHFT clinics alone. Charlotte Marlow, Clinical Research Practitioner at KCHFT said: “The test itself takes about five minutes from the child taking a seat, having the finger-prick test and leaving, so it is very quick and simple for families.”
Summer clinic dates
Clinics run from 9am to 2pm:
- Wednesday, 22 July at Dover Health Centre, Maison Dieu Road
- Monday, 27 July at Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Herne Bay
- Friday, 7 August at Deal Community Clinic, 9 Bowling Green Lane
- Friday, 14 August at Vicarage Lane Clinic, Ashford
- Saturday, 22 August at Thanet Community Health Hub
Book your appointment
Parents and carers can register, complete consent forms and choose a clinic at the ELSA Study website. The ELSA Study is open to families across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
