DIABETICS in Mid Cheshire are now able to receive all the care they need under one roof - thanks to community fundraising efforts.
During the last four years hundreds of individuals and organisations have helped to collect a total of £300,000 toward the Diabetes Centre at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, which will be available to people from Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich.
The centre, which saw its first patients receive treatment this week, is located in the outpatients area of the hospital and will act as a one-stop service, allowing patients to access information, receive treatment and attend clinic appointments in a central area.
It houses consultants, podiatrists, specialist nurses and dieticians who can provide patients with all diabetes-related services.
Senior podiatrist Faith Murray said: 'In bringing all these services together, we will be able to deliver a more efficient service to our patients.
We also hope to introduce some facilities which have not been available before, such as group education sessions.'
More than 9,000 diabetes patients are currently on record within the Leighton catchment area, a figure which rises annually.
Diabetic Barbara Nicholson, 55, area secretary for charity Diabetes UK, said: 'Everything will be under one roof. That makes a vast difference when you are slightly disabled and have to use a wheelchair like I do.
'Before this I was having to go to the clinic upstairs for a blood test, then the full length of the hospital to have my feet seen to, but now everything related to diabetes will be there.'
Mrs Nicholson said there are not many such centres in the country.
'They are few and far between,' she said. 'We are very lucky to have it, it has been hard work raising the money but it is going to be very good.'
The Diabetes Centre appeal, which was launched in 2000, hit its target of £300,000 earlier this year with a donation of £5,000 from the hospital's League of Friends.
