Terry Waite opens diabetes clinic

A new diabetes centre funded almost entirely by donations from patients is to be officially opened by Terry Waite.

The centre is based in the former eye clinic at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds.

It will house all the hospital diabetes clinics including those for new patients, pregnant diabetics and adolescents with the condition.

A new digital camera will provide eye photos and patients will have access to the hospital's diabetes website.

Drop-in clinic

Consultant diabetologist Dr John Clark said: "There have been many advances in diabetes in the last few years and this centre will help us to ensure our patients are receiving the best treatment.

The former eye clinic has been completely refurbished to create a suite of six new consulting rooms.

There is also an education room, a room for blood testing, podiatry rooms, eye screening and consultation rooms for the nurses.

The centre will be running drop-in clinics in which patients can turn up at certain times in between appointments to see a diabetes specialist nurse to discuss any concerns or developments in their condition.

Former Beirut hostage Terry Waite will unveil a plaque commemorating the opening on Tuesday.