CATHLEEN: When she was diagnosed with Type II diabetes by her local GP, Cathleen admits she was overweight.
"I did need to lose weight and my blood pressure was up. [After treatment] my blood pressure dropped and my weight went down," says the 73-year-old from Celbridge, Co Dublin.
Cathleen is part of a shared care scheme in south Dublin and attends the Irishtown Medical Centre. She has been with the practice for over eight years despite having moved out of the immediate area.
During visits to the diabetes clinic her blood is tested, she is weighed and she also meets the dietician. When the results come back Cathleen discusses them with her GP who assesses her progress. "He'll tell how well I'm doing. And at the moment I'm fine, they are very pleased with me."
Since her condition was diagnosed four years ago by her GP Cathleen says she feels better with much more energy.
She takes medication and also tries to eat sensibly. "I watch my diet. Of course I don't eat sweet stuff - well now and again I might - but you just have to be sensible about it."