11 May 2022
Frimley Health's paediatrics team has enlisted the help of the Gordon Ramsay Academy to help young patients with diabetes improve their relationship with food.
The Woking-based academy has designed a one-day cookery course specifically for Frimley Health patients aged between 11-18, to teach them how to cook healthy meals.
At the end of April, six young patients took part in the first ‘official’ course. Led by the academy’s Head of Culinary, Rob Cottam, who himself has Type 1 diabetes, the children were taught how to cook a nutritious curry and given tips on making the best food choices in order to stay healthy.
Rohit Atai, 15, from Slough, is under the care of the diabetes team at Wexham Park Hospital. He was only diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in June last year and was excited about being invited to the Academy.
He said: “I was so surprised and happy when the letter came asking me if I’d like to go to the Gordon Ramsay Academy. The course has been brilliant, I learnt so much about healthy food and I can even help my mum and dad with the cooking now.”
Following a series of successful pilots at the beginning of this year and overwhelming praise from patients and their families, the courses will now take place bi-monthly and offered to more children under our care.
The idea was the brainchild of Ellen Duke, the Trust's former Head of Nursing for Paediatrics & Neonates, who reached out to the academy late last year after reading about the opening of the famous chef’s cookery school.
Nicola Birchmore, a paediatric diabetes nurse specialist, is leading the programme. Nicola said: “Many young people with diabetes feel anxious and confused about what foods are best to eat or avoid. We wanted to help our patients have a better relationship with food and not be hindered in any way by their diagnosis.
“The pilot courses showed how much food confidence can be achieved in such a short time and we are delighted that we can continue to help even more children and hopefully make a difference to the lives of many young patients with diabetes.”
Frimley Health currently has more than 400 children living with Type 1 diabetes under its care across Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey and Wexham Park Hospital in Berkshire. Each patient has a multidisciplinary team supporting them and helping to manage their symptoms. Many will be given the opportunity to attend the course at the academy during the coming months.
Rob Cottam said: “It’s a privilege to be able to support Frimley Health and these young people – and help them with hints and tips that I’ve gained throughout my cooking career.
"Being diabetic myself means that I truly understand their food worries and can answer any queries based on my own personal experiences as well as my cookery knowledge.
"We want to normalise diabetes for these kids so that they can enjoy their food and cooking, balancing the best food choices along with everyday life.”