The Bermuda Diabetes Association has strengthened its nutritional services team with the appointment of a registered dietitian.

Keelin Hankin will support the charity in its continued commitment to provide individualised, evidence-based nutrition support to the community, the BDA said.

The charity said registered dietitians are qualified healthcare professionals who use nutrition therapy to help prevent and manage a range of medical conditions.

For people living with diabetes, dietitians provide tailored nutritional counselling and practical recommendations to support blood sugar management, reduce the risk of complications and empower individuals to live well with diabetes.

Sara Bosch de Noya, head diabetes educator at the BDA, said Ms Hankin brings a wealth of experience in diabetes care, chronic kidney disease, weight management and cardiovascular health to the charity.

She said Ms Hankin will be a tremendous asset to both the charity’s team and the community.

Ms Bosch de Noya said: “We are delighted to welcome Keelin to our team.

“As demand for nutritional counselling continues to grow, it is vital that people living with diabetes continue to have access to high-quality, personalised education and support.

“Nutrition is a cornerstone of diabetes management, but there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

“Every individual has unique health goals, lifestyles and challenges, and our role is to provide practical, evidence-based advice that empowers people to make sustainable changes and take control of their health in order to meet diabetes goals and live well.”

Originally from Ireland, Ms Hankin holds ten years of experience in clinical nutrition.

Prior to moving to Bermuda in 2019, she worked at St James's University Hospital in Leeds, Britain, supporting surgical and oncology patients throughout their treatment.

Since relocating to Bermuda, she has worked as an outpatient dietitian, helping individuals manage a wide range of health conditions through personalised nutrition care.

The BDA said appointments with its registered dietitians do not require a co-pay — a process which it said helps to ensure that expert nutrition and diabetes education remains accessible to people living with diabetes.

The charity said its nutrition services are making a significant impact across the island.

During the last financial year, 450 people received ongoing medical nutrition therapy, while 196 individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes accessed initial nutritional counselling and education.

It highlighted that 87 per cent of participants who attended both an initial consultation and follow-up appointments improved key health markers.

Alongside one-to-one appointments, the charity offers a range of educational programmes designed to help people better understand and manage diabetes.

These include its new CGM education class, Flatten the Curve, which is designed specifically for existing continuous glucose monitor, or CGM users.

The BDA also provides free one-to-one FreeStyle Libre training sessions, helping people gain confidence in using continuous glucose monitoring technology.

In partnership with local chef Rachel Wilks of Two Fish in a Barrel, the charity also hosts regular hands-on cooking classes, equipping participants with the skills and confidence to prepare healthy, nutritious meals at home.

To access nutrition counselling services, individuals require a referral from their general practitioner or specialist, which should include relevant medical history and laboratory results from the past six months, including HbA1c (blood sugar) results.

Those without a GP or specialist should contact the charity directly for further assistance.

• For more information on nutritional counselling services at the BDA, visitwww.diabetes.bm or call 441-297-8427 ext 19