PARAMEDICS in the South are set to be the first in the country to screen children for type 1 diabetes.

As part of a landmark study, South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) will become the first UK service to carry out testing among those aged three to 13 years old.

Research paramedics and nurses will screen children in GP practices, schools and community centres across Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.

Martina Brown, head of research operations at SCAS, said: “We want to ensure this type 1 diabetes screening programme study is accessible to all and utilising research paramedics and nurses is key to making this happen.

“We are delighted to be the first ambulance trust to use our paramedics and nurses for such a landmark project and will be screening children in community settings including general practices, schools and community centres.

“Screening for type 1 diabetes is not a standard practice in the NHS at present so this really is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved - and could form the basis for a national screening programme.”

She added: “The benefit is clear in terms of identifying those at risk earlier and teaching children and parents about recognising the acute symptoms and being prepared for emergencies.

“They will understand how to respond to these situations effectively as a result and will receive access to further clinical trials to tackle the disease which include new treatments to prevent or delay the condition.”

It is part of a major national research project - Early Surveillance for Autoimmune Diabetes (ELSA) - designed to assess children’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes at the earliest possible stage.

Those identified as high risk during the study and their families will be offered support and education, including information on symptoms and management, to help prepare them for the diagnosis.

They will also be given the opportunity to be followed up in the long-term to enable closer monitoring and to potentially start insulin treatment sooner.

In addition, they will be given access to clinical trials of the newest treatments which could prevent or delay the condition.