At the time of diagnosis, West Middlesex Hospital was running a regular weekly course - one half day session with:
Dietitian - standard NHS-DUK diet which I recognised as basically low GI;
Nurse - advice on recognising diabetic problems;
Pharmacist - get to know your local pharmacist & build up a relationship as they are a good source of on-going advice to supplement the doctor;
Podiatrist - foot care advice.
Very useful basic stuff. My blood sugars improved & my initial worries (I've got the disease that will cause my death, whatever can I eat?) faded & for several years I felt I had my condition under control. BUT, they also told me diabetes was progressive, & my condition would worsen. As it did.
After 8 years my active life was over, & I came to this forum still thinking I had followed the best advice, & that my neuropathy was due to the disease progressing. Fergus put me right - a point he made that I still remember was:
"I will not take political advice from someone who recommends cereal bars."
After a year or two on low carb, I reported my improved health to the organiser of the local Cardio/Diabetes support group, & he suggested I contact the dietitian who runs the X-PERT course. The same one who gave advice at the hospital. She welcomed me as one who had got the disease under control, & reduced her carb amount to 130-150 g daily. 18 months later I was invited onto a refresher X-PERT course.
I've also attended the Diabetes UK "Living with Diabetes Day" last September, which I found very useful. I think Hounslow was the first, possible because we have a support group attended by around 50 people each month.