Diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.
For more information: NHS – Diabetes
For an extensive guides regarding diabetes, and information on the various treatments, tests, and referrals available, please view this dedicated site – Diabetes Information
Important: Feeling unwell with diabetes
If you are unwell with diabetes you are advised to seek medical help urgently the same day.
Some medications may need altering during this period and further guidance can be found by clicking the following link: www.diabetes.org.uk/life-with-diabetes
Diabetes Care reviews
We aim to invite most patients with diabetes in their birth month for a review.
We advise you to bring home average blood pressure readings as these are more accurate and will reduce the need for us to repeat this over time at the practice. We encourage you to have your own home blood pressure monitor and to keep records of your blood pressure to help optimise your care.
Please bring a urine test clearly marked ‘for ACR’ to every diabetes review appointment. We will contact you with the results.
New Diabetes Diagnosis
If you are an adult who has recently been diagnose with diabetes, please see the link below with recommended reading.
The practice will aim to invite you within a month and it is helpful for you to have familiarised yourself with this information:
www.diabetes.co.uk/newly-diagnosed.
If you are unwell before being seen in the clinic please phone the practice.
SGLT2/Flozin Medications
SGLT2 or ‘flozin’ medications are used in diabetes. These medications have been shown to lower glucose, weight, blood pressure, and vascular/heart/kidney risks.
To read more, please view our SGLT2/Flozin medication webpage.
Further information
Diabetes and Driving
Please see the links to rules and guidance about diabetes and driving. This is especially important if you are treated with insulin or other medication that could potentially cause hypoglycaemia:
Website
GOV: Diabetes and Driving
Website
Diabetes UK: Driving when you have DiabetesDiabetes Remission Plan
The programme, commissioned by NHS England and formerly known as the NHS Low Calorie Diet, supports people living with type 2 diabetes to achieve weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. This will enable them to better control their blood sugar levels, reducing the need for diabetes-related medication and potentially achieving remission of their type 2 diabetes. It is a year-long programme which includes an initial three-month period of total diet replacement, with all food intake replaced by specially formulated products amounting to 800-900 kilocalories per day, followed by support with achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Some of the exclusion criteria include: age>65, having diabetes for more than 6 years, on insulin, BMI under 27 in some people, some other severe medical conditions.
If you are interested, please contact the practice.Glucose Self Testing
If you are on insulin or other medicines that can cause low glucose (like gliclazide) then you should have a working glucose meter and test levels as recommended (see link below). If you do not have these please ask our dispensary team using the contacting the practice.
How often should you test you blood glucose? How Often Do I Need to Test My Blood Glucose (diabetes.co.uk).
For further information on checking you blood sugar levels please visit: www.diabetes.org.uk – Checking your blood sugar levels.
Leaflet
Glucose self testing table (PDF)MyType1 Diabetes – free online support
MyType1 Diabetes is a free online resource with tailored support to help adults in England live well with their type 1 diabetes.
It can help patients understand more about type 1 diabetes and increase their confidence in managing their condition through e-learning, signposting to local services and a wide-range of content available in 10 different languages including Polish, Spanish and Urdu.
The programme is for people over the age of 18, with type 1 diabetes and can be accessed by individuals, families, carers, and healthcare professionals.
Website
www.mytype1diabetes.nhs.ukNational Diabetes Audit
If you have diabetes, non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes, your GP practice will share information about your diabetes care and treatment with the NDA. The type of information and how it is shared, is controlled by law and enforced by strict rules or confidentiality and security.
Leaflet
National Diabetes Audit: how your information is used to help improve diabetes care (PDF)
Website
See the results of past auditsStatins
Most people with diabetes over the age of 40 are recommended to consider starting a statin medication (usually atorvastatin 20mg) to reduce vascular risk i.e., heart attacks/strokes etc.
You can read more about this at NHS.UK: Statins
If you are not on a statin medication and wish to be, please confirm that you have read the information above on the link and contact the clinical pharmacist to request this: Contact the Practice