A DIABETES consultant has run more than 25 kilometres between GP surgeries around Aberystwyth to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes.

At each stop Dr Sam Rice, a consultant endocrinologist at Hywel Dda University Health Board, delivered information a series of videos on how to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Pocket Medic is an innovative series of films that doctors can prescribe to help people understand more about their risk, and what they can do to reduce it.

The films are currently available across Wales and have so far been prescribed to more than 3,700 patients.

Dr Rice ran from Padarn Surgery to Ystwyth Medical Group, Church Surgery and Borth Surgery, the Diabetes and Endocrine Unit at Bronglais Hospital and the Sports and Exercise Department at Aberystwyth University. The route encompassed more than 25 kilometres and took two and a half hours to complete.

The 42-year-old will repeat his challenge on World Diabetes Day, Tuesday, 14 November, by running to more than 20 different GP surgeries in Cardiff.

Dr Rice said: “A quarter of people in Wales have Type 2 diabetes or are at risk of developing the condition, meaning we are all likely to know someone affected. I wanted to do something to raise awareness of this growing issue and highlight some of the resources available to support people who are at risk.

“Education is key to understanding diabetes, whether you have already been diagnosed or are at risk of developing it. The Pocket Medic films are a fantastic resource that help people understand what being at risk means and what they can do to reverse it.”

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