I do enjoy reading the extracts from Rye News in the monthly Fixtures magazine, and would like to comment on the article “The mess that is our NHS” by John Andrews [Rye News April 16 2015].
I totally agree with the writer’s remarks about litter and the sweet fizzy drinks and high-calorie snacks available in the hospital vending machines but, as a Type 2 diabetic, I would plead the need for “no added sugar” soft drinks and sugar-free muesli snacks or fruit and nuts. High sugar and salt snacks should not be sold in hospitals.
Diabetics are supposed to have a carbohydrate intake every four hours but, as one can wait in the A&E department in the Conquest too, it is necessary to take one’s own supplies, which does involve nibbling in the A&E if you do not wish to risk losing your place in the queue.
Keep up the good work.
* Footnote Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. In England in 2010, there were about 3.1 million people aged 16 or over with diabetes (both diagnosed and undiagnosed). By 2030, this figure is expected to rise to 4.6 million, with 90 per cent of those affected having Type 2 diabetes. The charity Diabetes UK estimates that around 850,000 people in England have diabetes, but haven't been diagnosed. If you would like to know more about the causes of Type 2 diabetes and what drinks are suitable then check out the diabetes.co.uk website or see this online advice from the NHS
