More Firefighters Join Exeter health project

More firefighters from Devon and Somerset Fire Service are choosing to take part in the Exeter 10,000 project, run by the National Institute for Health Research Exeter Clinical Research Facility (CRF), University of Exeter Medical School (formerly Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry).

Last month, firefighters from Red Watch took part in the scheme. Not to be outdone, this month it is Green Watch who are planning to add their data to the Exeter 10,000 project.

The project aims to compile a research register of 10,000 individuals from the Exeter and East Devon area. This will enable researchers to investigate common diseases such as diabetes and help improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

The firefighters visited the NIHR Exeter CRF, where they provided information about their lifestyles and donated a sample of blood. This joined the Exeter 10,000 database, which currently holds records from over 5,300 volunteers.

Dr. Gillian Baker, manager at the NIHR Exeter CRF, said: “We are delighted that the involvement of Red Watch has encouraged Green Watch to take part in the Exeter 10,000 project. It is great that they are prepared to give up time out of their busy schedules and we hope that their involvement will encourage other people to take part.”

Diabetes is an incurable and progressive condition characterised by too much glucose in the blood. It currently affects 2.8 million people in the UK (affecting one in eight people in Devon) rising to 4.6 million affected by 2030, the cost to care for diabetes patients in the NHS was 10 per cent of its entire annual budget in 2010.

More information about how individuals and businesses can get involved with the Exeter 10,000 project is available by logging on at www.peninsulacrf.org or calling 01392 406769.