Spirit Healthcare has launched a new campaign - #knowyourketones - to raise awareness of the risks and warning signs of ketoacidosis in people with diabetes.

In a bid to improve understanding and awareness, Spirit Healthcare has developed a dedicated online campaign hub, featuring valuable, concise information about testing for ketones. Resources include downloadable leaflets for both patients and healthcare practitioners and a short video featuring Leicester-based type 1 diabetes patient Gary De Allende.

Diabetes specialist nurse Gill Peck said: “Ketones in your blood stream take less than 24 hours to cause life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) requiring emergency hospital treatment and it is estimated that there are more than 10,000 admissions to UK hospitals every year for DKA.

"This preventable condition is putting lives at risk and increasing the burden on the NHS. That’s why it’s so important that people with type 1 diabetes know when to test their ketones and have the right equipment to hand, to do so.”

Spirit Healthcare is encouraging people to take part in a #knowyourketones social media ‘Thunderclap’ campaign before Friday 18 November.