Healthcare Professionals and Diabetes
When a person is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes in the UK , whatever their age and circumstances, they are given access to a team of healthcare professionals.
These include:
Depending on the Primary Care Trust in which the individual lives, access to healthcare professionals will vary. The following section outlines the various healthcare professionals in the UK, and how they can help you.
Remember, you are the most important person in diabetes care and successfully managing diabetes, but your healthcare team can help to manage diabetes and maintain good health.
Diabetes Specialist Nurses
Diabetes Specialist Nurses (DSNs), also called Community Diabetes Specialist Nurses, are the backbone of diabetes treatment and care in the UK .
Their primary goal is to help people self-manage their diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes usually see both a practice nurse at their local GP’s in addition to a diabetes specialist nurse who will provide additional support and advice.
They are legally required to be constantly maintaining and expanding their knowledge of their specialised sector, as well as personally ensuring that they are qualified to undertake every duty or responsibility they are given, as such a diabetic patient can be sure they are receiving the best possible care.
Diabetes and Primary Care Trusts
The NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) is the part of the National Health Service that provides both primary and community services in a number of fortes in the medical sector, primarily they are responsible for spending around 80 percent of the total NHS budget.
The Primary Care Trusts are categorised geographically around the UK and are managed locally. Each PCT has their own specialised diabetes clinic and drop in centre to allow diabetics access to a team of highly specialised and dedicated professionals who offer education, support and advice to people with diabetes.
Diabetes Dieticians
As type 2 diabetes progresses and changes, the patient’s diet should change in accordance, often their insulin requirements may change throughout the term of the illness.
It is vital that a diabetic person has access to a specialist dietician who is able to provide individual support and guidance on the best diet to follow allowing the patient a normal and carefree life.
GPs and Diabetes
General Practitioners continue to be a diabetic patient’s primary source of care; they are required to complete a full medical review upon diagnosis taking into account any other medical problems. They are also the key to ensuring all necessary members of the primary care team are informed and up to date on each patient’s progress both verbally and in writing.
Arguably more significantly, they are also required to instigate an initial course of treatment and review these annually incorporating any developments and lifestyle changes of the patient. In addition it is the GP’s role to ensure any referrals made to external bodies abide to locally agreed criteria and are timely and appropriate.
In many cases the GP is also partly responsible for the care provided by the specialist nurses and therefore has to be satisfied with their competence and knowledge of their specialised forte including diabetes.
Diabetes and Podiatrists
Diabetic foot problems are responsible for around 47% of diabetes related hospital admissions emphasising the key role of podiatrists in the care and support a diabetic patient requires. Feet are particularly affected with diabetes due to a number of reasons; firstly that diabetes affects the nervous system and can predominantly affect the feet this is known as peripheral neuropathy.
Bad circulation
In addition, diabetes can also lead to bad circulation which can have an adverse affect if damage occurs to the foot.
Consequences of these symptoms of the disease can include foot ulcers, feet infections and in severe cases amputations.
Podiatrists or chiropodists have an extremely important role in the preventions and management of complications that can occur in the feet of people with diabetes, and as such it is normally recommended for people who are at the highest risk should see a professional on a regular basis.
