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What is the Adult Diabetes Service?

 

  
What we do

The Adult Diabetes Service provides extensive services for adults with diabetes, using a multidisciplinary team, covering many aspects of care that you may need.
 

Who are our staff?

If you need the help of the Adult Diabetes Service, you may see:

  • Consultant Diabetologist/endocrinologist & medics
  • Nurses (Diabetes Specialist Nurses)
  • Healthcare Support Workers
  • Dietitians
  • Podiatrists/Orthotists
  • Pharmacists
  • Psychology
  • Administrators
  • Reception staff
  • Students (medical, nurse, physio, pharmacist, occupational therapist, psychologist)
     

What to expect when attending a clinic

When you attend a clinic either in person or a virtual clinic (via your smart phone, tablet, or PC) there are some things that will ensure you get the most out of your review.

The following will be needed & discussed:

  • Blood tests* usually obtained before the clinic to establish how your diabetes & organs are performing
  • Urine samples* usually obtained before the clinic and have been sent to the labs
  • Blood pressure readings (if possible)
  • Height and Weight checks
  • Foot checks performed and report any sores/ulcers or concerns about sensitivity feeling in feet (numbness hot/cold etc.)
  • Basic eye tests – eye chart (bring reading glasses if required) 
  • Downloads of Blood Glucose meters or flash glucose monitors or a report of blood glucose levels from a diary if you prefer
  • Medications and Insulin/ incretin mimetics (GLP1) treatments plus doses
  • Side effects or any issues with treatments including if you are unable to take the medications prescribed
  • Diet changes to be reported in the clinics (increase/decrease in weight and or food consumption)
  • How you are feeling about your diabetes and health are very important and we can discuss those feelings with you at the review


Diabetes is diagnosed when the blood test HbA1c glycated haemoglobin (measures the amount of glucose binds to protein within red blood cells that carry oxygen) see table below.

BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL RANGES

BLOOD KETONE LEVEL RANGES

DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) a complication of the body not having enough insulin to keep it healthy

Vomiting or dehydration is a risk for worsening Diabetes control seek medical help urgently contact General Practitioner (GP) or out of hours or 999 if consciousness is deteriorating. 
 

The other services we provide

Each discipline will provide you with help and care for your diabetes and other health related issues because of your diabetes and we will explain what each one does in the next few paragraphs.
 

*N.B. Blood and Urine Tests: You will usually be asked to attend Outpatient departments phlebotomy or your GP surgery for these to be undertaken in advance of your appointment. The blood/urine samples are all transported to our hospital labs for testing, and they are reported on our systems. It is important to discuss the results with you when you attend for a review either at the GP surgery or one of the hospitals.