Speech

PM's speech at Diabetes Charities Reception: 24 June 2019

Prime Minister Theresa May delivered the following speech at a Downing Street reception for diabetes charities and the NHS.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government
PM at reception

Welcome everyone.

As Prime Minister 바카라 사이트“ I host a great many receptions here at Downing Street, but of course today, this time, it바카라 사이트™s particularly personal.

So it really does give me great pleasure to see you all here 바카라 사이트“ and for me to be able to say a wholehearted thank you for everything you do to support and help people with diabetes.

I also particularly want to mention the children we have here with us 바카라 사이트“ and who I know have achieved some extraordinary things 바카라 사이트“ in sport, in raising awareness, and through their invaluable contribution to our understanding about how we can better help and treat people with diabetes.

You show tremendous courage, every day, in the things that you do.

You don바카라 사이트™t let diabetes hold you back.

You show what is possible.

And you are a source of great inspiration, so please everyone, let바카라 사이트™s give these amazing young people a round of applause.

I will never forget the shock I felt when I was first told I was diabetic.

I imagine it must be the same for many people.

It was not something I ever expected. And to be honest, I didn바카라 사이트™t know you could get Type 1 diabetes at my age.

But I will be forever grateful to all those who taught me how to manage my condition 바카라 사이트“ and reduce the impact it has on my life.

People like those of you here in this room today.

The one thing I told myself when I found out 바카라 사이트“ was that I was not going to let diabetes stop me from getting on with my life, and getting on with my job.

But it is only thanks to the advice and support I received that I have been able to keep that promise to myself 바카라 사이트“ the help from my GP, the consultants 바카라 사이트“ but also most memorably the clinical nurse specialists from my local hospital.

Today we know that the rate of diabetes is rising dramatically 바카라 사이트“ with 3 million people in England registered as living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes with a GP - although the true number is likely to be higher with up to a million more people yet to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

And behind those statistics 바카라 사이트“ as everyone here is well aware 바카라 사이트“ are the devastating consequences for people바카라 사이트™s health 바카라 사이트“ people of all ages, young and old.

So this really is one of the great health challenges of our time.

And I am very pleased that we have here people who are leading the charge in the way that we deal with diabetes.

I know only too well the difference simple advances can make 바카라 사이트“ because, as some of you may know, I wear a FreeStyle Libre 바카라 사이트“ which makes all the difference to me in being able to monitor my glucose levels.

And we are taking great strides forward in other areas.

From the new apps that help people monitor their condition.

From continuous Glucose Monitoring for all pregnant Type 1 diabetics which will be available on the NHS by 2020/21.

To the doubling of funds for the NHS바카라 사이트™s Type 2 diabetes prevention programme through the Long-Term Plan for the NHS.

But for today, this really is a chance for me to say a very personal thank you:

To those of you working to raise awareness and funding for research.

To those working on innovations, treatments and exploring possible cures.

And to those of you who care for people living with diabetes and provide the support so that they can live the best possible lives.

I want to end with a quote by Olympic Gold medal winner Steve Redgrave 바카라 사이트“ whose advice I took to heart when I was first diagnosed.

It바카라 사이트™s one I바카라 사이트™ve quoted before 바카라 사이트“ but it바카라 사이트™s a good one 바카라 사이트“ so I think it bears repeating.

바카라 사이트œDiabetes must learn to live with me rather than me live with diabetes.바카라 사이트

It바카라 사이트™s a sentiment I have always found gave me incredible inspiration. And I hope it provides inspiration for the many who are determined not to let diabetes get in the way of living their lives to the fullest.

Updates to this page

Published 24 June 2019