Appointments during Covid-19

Emmaayziing

Member
Messages
21
I'm meant to get quarterly Hba1c done to keep my prescription of Libre. Didn't go in April for obvious reasons but called recently to see what their arrangements are. There's a drive in centre for bloods at the Arena we have, but I don't drive... And I'm not going to pay £30 for a return trip. I managed to get my prescription for August sorted anyway, so we'll see what it's like in another 3 months.
 

Norfolkmell

Well-Known Member
Messages
249
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Tattoos, carers calling me lovey or duckie when I've only just met them
Haven’t had my hba1c one since November new surgery don’t seem concerned.
 

Molliemandy

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hello All, has anyone had any communication from their specialists, or anyone diabetes related at all? I haven't heard anything, I called up and heard it is now phone appointments, but i think I need some bloods done, anyone managed to get blood work done? Or get in contact with their specialist/doctor? How informative/long are the phone appointments? **This is not a moan just a questions, I understand doctors are under a lot of strain and therefore have more important duties at this moment in time**
 

Obanflyer

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello All, has anyone had any communication from their specialists, or anyone diabetes related at all? I haven't heard anything, I called up and heard it is now phone appointments, but i think I need some bloods done, anyone managed to get blood work done? Or get in contact with their specialist/doctor? How informative/long are the phone appointments? **This is not a moan just a questions, I understand doctors are under a lot of strain and therefore have more important duties at this moment in time**
I am in Scotland.i had a video call,managed to email my glucose levels in,(via an app) had a few calls over a month,changing level of insulin.Was allowed to give bloods at regular doctors surgery.which diabetic nurse was able to access
 

Bazzah1964

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diabetes!!
Hello All, has anyone had any communication from their specialists, or anyone diabetes related at all? I haven't heard anything, I called up and heard it is now phone appointments, but i think I need some bloods done, anyone managed to get blood work done? Or get in contact with their specialist/doctor? How informative/long are the phone appointments? **This is not a moan just a questions, I understand doctors are under a lot of strain and therefore have more important duties at this moment in time**
Hi Miriam 12345. My diabetic nurse contacted me via a phone call about a month ago and all they asked were if I had a blood pressure machine ( I don’t), if I felt my weight had increased since January and was I eating sensibly? No mention of getting any bloods done. Didn’t even bother to ask how I was feeling or coping given the current situation. Obviously Just a tick box exercise.
 

Lowcarb 2

Well-Known Member
Messages
99
Type of diabetes
Type 1.5
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello All, has anyone had any communication from their specialists, or anyone diabetes related at all? I haven't heard anything, I called up and heard it is now phone appointments, but i think I need some bloods done, anyone managed to get blood work done? Or get in contact with their specialist/doctor? How informative/long are the phone appointments? **This is not a moan just a questions, I understand doctors are under a lot of strain and therefore have more important duties at this moment in time**
My hab1c was high in February so my diabetic nurse said she would bring my case up at a GMC meeting with a specialist as I was only on abduglar at the time she promised to get back to me in March never heard anything and had to ring to find outcome she said did I forget to ring you we would like you to add humalog to your routine, after 12 weeks I rang the nurse to see if I could book blood test to see the result the humalog had on me she agreed and my results came back quite good but through out the lockdown like you i have had to do all the chasing and have not had any acuta l appointments and rely on my monitoring only to ensure eveything ok, I do worry if things go astray as in the past i have been hospitalized due to ketosis
 

Norfolkmell

Well-Known Member
Messages
249
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Tattoos, carers calling me lovey or duckie when I've only just met them
I have had foot check, eye check and blood tests all cancelled and my dental appointments too.
No contact or follow ups and I am concerned
Me too especially Getting my feet checked
 

Parisemo

Active Member
Messages
38
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello All, has anyone had any communication from their specialists, or anyone diabetes related at all? I haven't heard anything, I called up and heard it is now phone appointments, but i think I need some bloods done, anyone managed to get blood work done? Or get in contact with their specialist/doctor? How informative/long are the phone appointments? **This is not a moan just a questions, I understand doctors are under a lot of strain and therefore have more important duties at this moment in time**
Yes my diabetic consultant phoned to see how I was, as my appointment had been cancelled. I can call the diabetic nurses anytime
 

Annb

Expert
Messages
7,205
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Had a few appointments cancelled for checks due in March and April, including one to check for potential recurring bowel cancer. I contacted the GP who says, depending upon the results of FIT test, she will press for me to get an appointment asap. No information back on that, apart from a request for me to repeat the test (receptionist called to tell me that - she, obviously, doesn't know why).

Podiatry check not available yet - can't think why; if I can get my hair cut (11/2 weeks ago), why not check my feet?

Did get a blood test, which led to diabetes clinic contacting me to find out what has been going wrong. No mention of other results which I am concerned about.

Had a diabetic retinopathy screening this morning - should have been a month or so ago - apparently there is a questionable result, but the experts will be able to tell me more.
 

Maggie_Broon

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I live in Falkirk and i was told that our appointments are running on time as normal but instead of attending FVRH we will be getting a phone appointment. I think was mine due this month though but don't quote me on that and if it is i've still not had one yet. My eye appointment was also cancelled by letter the day before i was due to attend so their lucky i received it just in the nick of time. They should have phoned me to make sure. Heh ho it's done now and as of today not had another appointnent for my eye check as of yet.
 

Maggie_Broon

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I timed mine right before the NHS shut down for Covid but friends in my t1 group have had calls and found them to be about as useful as normal! Hospitals are fairly quiet now btw so there is no reason to hurry any telephone consultation you have and perhaps even more reason to share your data electronically and to have questions well prepared. That said I feel there is a lot that can be learned by the doctor from seeing you in person plus they do need to do the neuropathy checks annually at least and so need to see your feet!
I never get my feet checked never have since i was a teen. They just never done it when i moved to adult section. Is it just kids and o.a.p's that get their feet checked.
 

Bullet999

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hello All, has anyone had any communication from their specialists, or anyone diabetes related at all? I haven't heard anything, I called up and heard it is now phone appointments, but i think I need some bloods done, anyone managed to get blood work done? Or get in contact with their specialist/doctor? How informative/long are the phone appointments? **This is not a moan just a questions, I understand doctors are under a lot of strain and therefore have more important duties at this moment in time**
I have been forgotten by the GP and the Hospital but one good thing is they give me Libre without going to the School Programme. They keep on promising to ring but they never do. They must be far to busy doing ?. I have Carpel Tunnel in both hands and still they do nothing. I have lost all respect for the NHS as they seem to be in hiding with no sign of ever getting back to normal. I get that Diabetics are more prone to the virus but just to ignore us and expect our health to be fit and happy until they feel safe to see us again is getting to be a joke.
 

JohnEGreen

Master
Messages
13,189
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Tripe and Onions
Our local hospital had restarted many of their clinics a couple of weeks ago.
 

Route 66

Well-Known Member
Messages
205
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Had a phone call from my surgery three weeks ago for routine diabetic check up.

Appointment was made quickly two weeks ago. Had to ring the surgery from outside on arrival. Two minutes later a receptionist came out in full PPE. I had to wear a face-mask and not touch anything walking in. After sanitising hands, I saw the diabetic nurse who carried out the usual checks - weight - feet - blood pressure etc whilst wearing full PPE (Nurse that is - not me). Bloods and urine were taken and she made a referral for the annual eye check. Full results were available on-line within less than a week.

In these difficult times, the service from the surgery was excellent.

Counting myself extremely lucky reading some other posts.

To top it off, my Hba1c came it at 50 which was down from 108 twelve months ago, and all other results were really good was hoping for a bit lower, but still fairly pleased.
 
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Clementine68

Member
Messages
19
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Not had any contact from the diabetic clinic - my last appointment was 5 March with the consultant. Have received a letter regarding being put on a pump which I am pleased about, but no idea when the appointment will be with the pump nurse.
 

Heathero

Well-Known Member
Messages
362
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hello All, has anyone had any communication from their specialists, or anyone diabetes related at all? I haven't heard anything, I called up and heard it is now phone appointments, but i think I need some bloods done, anyone managed to get blood work done? Or get in contact with their specialist/doctor? How informative/long are the phone appointments? **This is not a moan just a questions, I understand doctors are under a lot of strain and therefore have more important duties at this moment in time**
Yes I received an appointment Previous one obviously cancelled. Received two letters one re a blood test followed by video consultation a week later.(East Suffolk ) My appointment lasted approximately 30 mins.I hope you hear from someone soon. There is now a receptionist to take calls messages in my area. Maybe try to phone again.
 
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Heathero

Well-Known Member
Messages
362
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I heard from the hospital in June who gave me an appointment for middle of July. Less than 2 weeks later I got a letter to say that diabetes appointments were being prioritised and because my blood glucose levels were in control then I would be seen in 6 months time. Problem for me is I haven't seen the diabetic team since May of last year when I was hospitalised due to being in DKA. Every appointment I've been due to go to since they have rearranged for another month or two. My blood glucose levels...where they get that I am controlling it well is beyond me as my HBA1C is sky high due to me suffering with diabullimia. Just feel like I have been lost in the system before COVID19 and the virus has just made everything worse
I’m sorry to hear that and your situation doesn’t sound good. Can you phone and ask to speak to a nurse / Dr to inform them of your need / situation.
I have had to wait longer for my appointment which was cancelled. But have now had a blood test . Then a video consultation a week later.
 

Fairygodmother

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,045
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bigotry, reliance on unsupported 'facts', unkindness, unfairness.
I’m being told that ANY type 1 who is over 50 or obese should be still shielding. I also have had 2 transplants of Islets and take immunisation meds therefore ALL my hospital appointments have been cancelled until further notice, although I’ve just been to my local Health Practice for my first Hb1ac since before the lockdown started
Any T1 over 50 should still be shielding?
I can see why you should as you’re immune compromised, and I wish you good health despite the situation.
I’m T1 and 70 and categorised as clinically vulnerable, not shielding
 

JenniferW

Well-Known Member
Messages
561
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
... I’m T1 and 70 and categorised as clinically vulnerable, not shielding

Can you explain the category 'clinically vulnerable'?

I looked at the government website pages for employers, how to grade vulnerability of employees and it classed me as 'High risk' (T2 + age +BMI + a rheumatology condition). I need to cancel some foreign travel plans, so was wondering if I need to get a GP assessment, etc.