Type 1 When was the last time you had an appointment?

[Gafspa]

I was diagnosed last August - after my diagnosis I felt supported and had a number of appointments.
My last appointment was on the 16th October so I’ve been left to manage on my own for over 6 months. I rang the diabetic nurse once, she was truly quite horrid and has put me off using this service.

I now do have a phone appointment for end of this month.

I’d like to know if this is standard practice or down to Covid?

 

[Antje77]

You say the diabetes nurse you rang was quite horrid. Were your previous appointment with someone else? Do you have the phone appointment at the end of the month with this horrid nurse or with someone else?

 

[Gafspa]

You say the diabetes nurse you rang was quite horrid. Were your previous appointment with someone else? Do you have the phone appointment at the end of the month with this horrid nurse or with someone else?

No I don’t think I’ve ever met the nurse I spoke to.
My impressions were she was working from home and was possibly homeschooling children as she didn’t answer my questions snd was incredibly dismissive. Like I was wasting her time.
She told me that I should go to drop in clinic- I explained that I lived an hour and 15 minutes away and that at that time had 3 children at gone so under the circumstances I couldn’t attend the drop in clinics. She then said that she’d transfer my care to a closer hospital which she hasn’t done.

To be honest I’m not sure who I have the telephone appointment with, it doesn’t say!

 

[TriciaWs]

The NICE guidelines are very comprehensive about the services T1s should receive. EG
1.6 Blood glucose management
HbA1c measurement and targets
Measurement
1.6.1Measure HbA1c levels every 3 to 6 months in adults with type 1 diabetes. [2015]
1.6.2Consider measuring HbA1c levels more often in adults with type 1 diabetes if the person's blood glucose control is suspected to be changing rapidly; for example, if the HbA1c level has risen unexpectedly above a previously sustained target. [2015]


https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng17/chapter/Recommendations

 

[Gafspa]

The NICE guidelines are very comprehensive about the services T1s should receive. EG
1.6 Blood glucose management
HbA1c measurement and targets
Measurement
1.6.1Measure HbA1c levels every 3 to 6 months in adults with type 1 diabetes. [2015]
1.6.2Consider measuring HbA1c levels more often in adults with type 1 diabetes if the person's blood glucose control is suspected to be changing rapidly; for example, if the HbA1c level has risen unexpectedly above a previously sustained target. [2015]


https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng17/chapter/Recommendations

Thank you, I’ve had my HbA1c done at my GPS surgery for the first time in February but haven’t had any feedback regarding the results.

That’s one of questions I’ve written down as don’t even know what I should be aiming for!

 

[sleepster]

Hi @Gafspa, I've been seen by a few diabetes clinics in my time and have found it can vary quite a lot how often I'd get appointments, sometimes I would have 4 appointments a year like clockwork, sometimes one a year if I was lucky and that was with me chasing them, sometimes I'd get 6 months notice for my next appointment, sometimes 2 days.
I was last at the hospital just before covid hit (Feb 2020), and then since covid I have had a phone appointment with a DSN (June 2020) and a phone appointment with my consultant (Feb 2021).

 

[kvetiny]

I've had one phone appointment with the consultant in 2 years. Wasn't very helpful. Get my hba1c checked once a year. If I'm lucky feet and blood pressure checked once a year. HBA1C is rising year on year. Have Maculopathy and possibly neuropathy. Age 36 Type 1 of 9 years.

 

[In Response]

I expect one appointment per year.
Often, the year is extended to 13 months and that is in non-pandemic times.

When first diagnosed, I had two appointments in the first year but not since.

 

[Gafspa]

Seems I was lucky as to start off with I had 2 appointments with consultant and 2 with dietitian! And they were in the space of a few months. And all face to face.

Thank you all for information- I had thought that the long gap was because of Covid but seems it’s the norm!
At my last consultant appointment they had said at next appointment we’d discuss a pump.... I guess that’s not happening at this one as via the phone ‍

 

[searley]

Most appointments are phone based at the moment.. had an appointment yesterday with my pump consultant over the phone

In fact 90% of my pump stuff has been phone based from approval to get etc.. the only time I saw someone was for the training

 

[Lainie71]

Mine have been monthy since December - over the phone. But my next appointment is in July after that I am not sure. I had my hbac1 test 2 weeks ago, that was the first time since December that I had been near a surgery or needle lol

 

[KK123]

I sometimes moan about my GP but reading some of the comments makes me realise I am very lucky. They have kept up with all the blood tests (once every 6 months) and I had a telephone appointment with my Consultant too, plus a text from the GP saying to contact them if any issues.

 

[oldgreymare]

@Gafspa You are still very much in the early days since diagnosis, so definitely keep asking for follow up appointments and tests. But pragmatically it is safer/faster for both you and your GP clinic to do phone/video consultations to discuss results, treatment updates, etc. Your GP surgery is obligated to provide you with an online service so you can quickly access test results. Ask for this and don't be shy about asking for more detailed explanations of any tests and treatment recommendations.

 

[Gafspa]

@Gafspa You are still very much in the early days since diagnosis, so definitely keep asking for follow up appointments and tests. But pragmatically it is safer/faster for both you and your GP clinic to do phone/video consultations to discuss results, treatment updates, etc. Your GP surgery is obligated to provide you with an online service so you can quickly access test results. Ask for this and don't be shy about asking for more detailed explanations of any tests and treatment recommendations.

I didn’t know that they had to provide me with results.
I’ve got an under active thyroid over the last days years I’ve had huge battles with them to get my test results so I can monitor my levels/treatment. So if I’m honest I haven’t asked for my blood results regarding diabetes as didn’t have the energy for a battle.

But I order my medication online so will ask about viewing my results on there too - thank you

 

[miahara]

Prior to Covid lackdown I had reviews every 6 months at the hospital diabetes clinic where I underwent a full range of tests - HbA1c, BP, Weight, retinopathy etc. Under present circumstances I just have blood tests, urine and BP at the local surgery and then a follow up phone consultation with the diabetes consultant who has told me to contact her if I have any questions or concerns. I was aslo contacted by the diabetes team secretary to let me know that I would be prescribed the Libre 2 sensor instead of my Libre 1.

 

[oldgreymare]

I didn’t know that they had to provide me with results.
I’ve got an under active thyroid over the last days years I’ve had huge battles with them to get my test results so I can monitor my levels/treatment. So if I’m honest I haven’t asked for my blood results regarding diabetes as didn’t have the energy for a battle.

But I order my medication online so will ask about viewing my results on there too - thank you

Oh dear! Another forum member gave me a quote on another thread re requirements for GPs to provide online results to patients, but some surgeries are more proactive than others. I believe most won't provide a test result until reviewed by a doctor, so even if a lab has provided the test result back to the clinic or GP within 24 hours, it may be several days before you are able to access - but there should be an online service available to you.

 

[dancer]

My last appointment was at hospital clinic in December 2019. Routine appointments were cancelled due to covid. Last week I received an appointment for the end of the month where I'll have the usual checks done, except for retinal screening. A fortnight later I will have a telephone appointment with my consultant.

Before Covid, I had a hospital appointment every 6 months with my consultant.

 

[Is Vic There ?]

Before Covid I had an appointment with the GP Diabetes Nurse. I have met the Diabetic dietition once in the last 12 years and New More than she did.. Bad enough suffering Diabetes but having to suffer a Poor Health service is just too much.

 

[Bittern]

You have the right to register with your practice so that you can have access to your results on line. Very useful.

 

[Robinredbreast]

I was diagnosed last August - after my diagnosis I felt supported and had a number of appointments.
My last appointment was on the 16th October so I’ve been left to manage on my own for over 6 months. I rang the diabetic nurse once, she was truly quite horrid and has put me off using this service.

I now do have a phone appointment for end of this month.

I’d like to know if this is standard practice or down to Covid?

My last diabetes appointment with hospital consultant was late August 2018.. I had a telephone appointment last year, November I think it was, I mentioned the lack of contact, but he didn't say alot about it, never spoken or seen this person before. He suggested I call the diabetes nurses at the hospital. I told him I had already done that and got no response. Covid was high priority.
My next appointment, is another telephone call on Wednesday 22nd December [email protected]. If that goes ahead, it will be over 3 years since I was face to face with a diabetes specialist.
Tomorrow though, I have a afternoon call from a diabetes nurse, from the surgery.