THE  diabetes team at St Helens Hospital has been praised for its support of an inspirational patient who has been living with type one diabetes for more than 80 years.

Alan Melville, 88, was just seven years old when he was diagnosed with diabetes in 1944.

It was a time when living with the condition was very different to today, with far less knowledge about the condition and much cruder treatment methods for patients.

At that time insulin, which had only been discovered just over 20 years earlier, was injected using large, long needles and patients had to stick to a tough regime of eating specific foods at dedicated times of the day prescribed by their doctor – a far cry from the modern, digital technology now employed to support the condition.

Although Alan admits things haven’t always been easy over the years, he says he has always done his utmost to live the best life possible with wife Pamela, two children and four grandchildren.

(Image: Alan with some of the St Helens diabetic team)

And his resilience was honoured this week as he received the H.G. Wells Medal which is given to people who live with diabetes for more than 80 years and presented on behalf of the national charity Diabetes UK.

Alan, who now lives in Whitby, North Yorkshire but has been cared for by the diabetes team at St Helens for more than 15 years, said: “It’s so lovely to get this medal.

“When I first started with diabetes I didn’t expect to live until I was 28, never mind 88, but I’ve managed to do all sorts of things in my life.

“In my younger days I was in and out of hospital a lot because it was hard to manage the condition. My mum was brilliant and was taught what to do to treat me, but it wasn’t easy learning how to inject yourself as an eight-year-old.

“Generally speaking though, I’ve not had too many problems since then. I’ve had high blood sugars as everyone does but have managed to control that well.

“I don’t complain that I have got diabetes, I’m glad I got it at the age of seven. I got used to it and I’ve actually enjoyed having diabetes over the years. It’s actually been a wonderful experience.

“When I was younger there were so many negatives about diabetes but when I got to one day past the age of 28 that was a milestone for me, and I took life forward from there and I have been on a wonderful journey.’’

Alan was full of praise for the staff at St Helens Hospital, who continue to oversee his treatment despite living in Yorkshire, for their help.

He said: “All the staff here have been absolutely brilliant with me from the consultants to the specialist nurses to the dietitians and the receptionists, and I want to thank every single member of the team. They are part of my family, and they make me feel like I am part of theirs.

“They have looked after me and always been there to answer all my questions and it’s good to know the support is always there for me and other people with diabetes in the community.’’

Alan received his medal from Ann Marr OBE, chief executive of Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I’m delighted to be here to present this beautiful medal to Alan.

“The way he has managed the condition for so long is a real inspiration to others and it’s lovely to hear his praise for the staff in the diabetes department here.’’ Dr Niall Furlong, a consultant diabetologist, at the Trust, said: “Living with diabetes for 80 years is phenomenal.

“There is never a good time to get diabetes and Alan has managed the condition exceptionally well and is real role model.

“Back in 1944 the management of diabetes was fairly crude by today’s standards and Alan has seen the tremendous developments that have been made. We have much better equipment now but are also much better in treating people how to use these tools so patients can manage their own conditions more effectively.’’

Clare Howarth, from Diabetes UK, said: “Alan is an inspiration. Diabetes is a serious condition which can bring incredible difficulties for those who live with it.

“Alan’s story illustrates how far we’ve come with diabetes care and treatment and I’m sure will bring hope and inspiration to so many people living with diabetes, whether newly diagnosed or living with the condition for decades.

“It’s our privilege to be able to present him with the medal.”

The H.G. Wells Medal is awarded to people who have lived with diabetes for 80 years.

It was named after the famous author Herbert George Wells, who had diabetes. He who co-founded the Diabetic Association, now known as Diabetes UK, with Dr Robert Lawrence in 1934.

The charity also awards medals to people who have lived with the condition for 50, 60 and 70 years.