What is BERTIE?
BERTIE stands for BERTIE stands for 'Beta Cell Education Resources for Training in Insulin and Eating'. The programme is designed to help people with Type 1 diabetes learn more about managing the condition and about useful topics such as how to carbohydrate count and how to work out insulin doses. It is a FREE programme for adults with Type 1 diabetes registered with a GP in south London or receiving Type 1 diabetes specialist care in south London.
- BERTIE is a way of managing Type 1 diabetes and will provide you with the skills necessary to estimate the carbohydrate in each meal and to inject the right dose of insulin
- Run by BERTIE educated local healthcare professionals who are experts in Type 1 diabetes
- BERTIE programmes are a friendly, supportive environment, where everyone is working towards a common goal
"BERTIE is really useful, my confidence Is much better and I feel more in control. I can make better decisions about my insulin and I have a better understanding of why my readings are high/low and my HbA1c has improved."
Type 1 patient
Programme style
BERTIE is a six-hour group programme once a week for four consecutive weeks plus a follow-up session around 3 months after the course. The BERTIE course is about learning from experience. As well as learning how to carb-count, and adjust insulin doses accordingly, you will keep records of food intake, blood glucose levels and insulin administered between sessions.
There are 6-8 people in each group, all with Type 1 diabetes. You can bring a family member or friend along to support you if you wish or a carer.
How can the BERTIE programme help me?
Research has shown that people who complete the BERTIE programme benefit because:
- They are more likely to have better diabetes control and a lower HbA1c
- Many participants report reductions in hypoglycaemia that requires assistance from someone else
- 80 per cent of participants meet their goals on the BERTIE course
Is BERTIE suited to me?
BERTIE is ideal if you
- Enjoy interacting with others, sharing stories and learning from others experience
- Want the opportunity to talk with healthcare professionals who specialise in diabetes