Diabetes is a serious illness that requires regular follow-up. We can provide most of this care within the practice, but we also use external services provided by outside agencies where appropriate.

The specialist nurse in the Diabetic Clinic will perform your annual check and blood test, management of co-existing diseases that impact upon diabetes, retinal eye screening services and referral for insulin support where needed.

It is very important to note that hospital-based diabetic clinics are moving away from full annual checks to a problem-solving approach. Therefore, even if you have been to a hospital clinic for an annual review, they are unlikely to have performed the complete range of tests that are recommended for annual follow-up. We very strongly encourage you to come to the annual check that we offer all diabetics, even if you have been seen in the hospital too.

There is lots of helpful information at the Diabetes UK website.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a lifelong condition where your own body's ability to produce sufficient insulin to regulate the amount of sugar in your blood is impaired. It is often associated with the body being unable to make maximum use of the insulin that is around (Insulin resistance). Having high blood sugar levels for prolonged periods is associated with problems with the eyes, kidneys, the circulation and nerve supply to the feet, and makes diabetics more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes.

Diabetes can run in families and is much more common in people who are overweight. If you would like to be checked for diabetes make an appointment with the nurses and bring a sample of urine to your appointment.


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