The most senior doctor at Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals has encouraged people with diabetes to "Talk Hypos".

Dr Mike Van Der Watt, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust's Medical Director, has got behind a national campaign to get people with diabetes to discuss hypoglycaemia (hypos) - a potentially dangerous complication of the condition.

Hypos occur when glucose in the blood falls to a low level.

Symptoms may include a pounding heart, trembling, hunger, difficulty concentrating and blurred vision, and left untreated, they can become serious and cause unconsciousness.

Dr Van Der Watt said: "People with diabetes can fail to report hypos to clinicians for a range of reasons, including lack of awareness, a fear of losing their driving licence and a belief that their healthcare professional is not able to make a difference."

TALK stands for think, ask, learn and keep track of your hypos for discussion with a healthcare professional.

Dr van der Watt continued: "Many people with diabetes may be missing the warning signs of hypos.

"Ensuring that both patients and healthcare professionals know how to recognise and treat hypos, and are actively discussing them in consultation, means that we are better able to reduce the number and severity of incidences.

"This is an important message both inside and outside of hospital."