Three West Suffolk Hospital patients have been given medals for successfully managing their Type 1 diabetes for 50 years.

The Alan Nabarro medal, issued by national charity Diabetes UK, is given to people who have lived successfully with Type 1 diabetes, which sees the patient inject themselves with insulin several times each day. Sally Corbet, from East Harling, Ian Dixon, from Thetford, and Anthony Parsons, also from Thetford, received the awards on Wednesday this week.

Mandy Hunt, diabetes specialist nurse at the hospital, said: “We are really pleased that we were able to present these medals, as living with Type 1 diabetes for such a long time is a real achievement.

“Although Type 1 diabetes can be very serious, it can also be successfully managed, in turn allowing the person with the condition to continue their normal day-to-day life.

“These three patients are a testament to this, and set a great example to others by showing them that if they work at it, then can successfully manage their condition and stay well for many years to come.”

The award is named after a man who fought discrimination against diabetics.