The Logistics Guild has launched an exciting initiative with Connect Health Solutions to help diabetic drivers monitor their condition on the move and counter the risks associated with the disease.
The initiative, aimed at drivers diagnosed with type-two diabetes, combines real-time glucose monitoring and messaging technology with comprehensive medical health coaching support. The results are expected to offer increased patient adherence, prevention of future health complications, lower costs, and reduced risk to road safety.
Type two diabetes is a lifestyle related illness that affects around 6% of the UK population. With over 650,000 professional drivers in the UK, and an aging driver pool, the numbers of drivers with the condition is significant and expected to rise, raising concerns over the long-term health of drivers and safety on the roads.
The Logistics Guild founder, Paul Brooks, said: "The Logistics Guild is committed to the wellbeing of our 80,000 members and supporting our industry on finding products that deliver improved conditions for the 2.3 million who work in UK logistics. Type-two diabetes is a major health concern for many of those who may spend a large proportion of their professional lives in fairly sedentary jobs, such as behind the wheel of a vehicle. Our aim is to raise awareness of the disease, and by working with Connect Health Solutions, offer direct help to those with the condition so that they can easily monitor their blood sugar levels on the move, throughout the working day, and get the immediate support they need in terms of medical advice."
He adds, "Safety on our roads is of paramount importance. This initiative will help drivers manage their condition, reducing the risk of hypoglycaemia, and will offer employers a way of ensuring compliance to medical requirements for a driver's fitness to drive. The health of our aging driver population is an issue for all companies in the transport and logistics sector, so we strongly recommend that the industry backs this initiative."
A major trial of the device is currently underway with bus drivers at First Bus in Halifax, where five type-two diabetics are currently using Connect Health Solutions' GSM enabled device to monitor their blood sugar levels and receive information to help them manage their condition.
Simon Dempsey, Director, Connect Health Solutions said, "We have the world's first GSM based blood glucose monitoring device, making it ideally suited to the management of diabetes within the professional driving community. To have the ability to access data in real-time and offer real-time advice is paramount in providing support and confidence to both the driver and the employer. With escalating cases of diabetes in the UK and the increased risk of complications due to poor management, our telemetry and timely interventions can greatly increase positive clinical outcomes, transforming chronic conditions from a significant obstacle to a manageable routine. So I am delighted that we are engaged in an initiative with The Logistics Guild to improve the wellbeing of professional drivers and, likewise, I am thrilled to be working with First Bus in the UK's first pilot of the device in the transport sector."
Oliver Howarth, (Business Manager, First Bus, Halifax), said: "The safety of the public and the wellbeing of our employees are of critical importance to everyone at First Bus. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for us to pilot this leading edge technology, with all the potential gains it offers us in terms of driver health and the reduction of risk to both our passengers and the public."
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