Getting hold of Diabetic specialist nurses?

[markpj31]

Hi,

I'm finding it difficult to get through to my local DSN service - nobody ever answers the phone for a start, and it takes weeks to return a call.

Is this common in the UK?

 

[mariavontrapp]

We just book through the surgery phoneline, but a nightmare trying to get through

 

[In Response]

Unfortunately, I think it varies.
My DSN gave me her email and she usually responds within 24 hours.

There is a DSN at my local GP surgery but the only time I met her, I realised she has no knowledge of Type 1.

 

[jaywak]

Hi,

I'm finding it difficult to get through to my local DSN service - nobody ever answers the phone for a start, and it takes weeks to return a call.

Is this common in the UK?

You're lucky they return a call ! Ours don't .

 

[JMK1954]

The DSns at my hospital have a dedicated phone line, so you can leave a message. However it was usually 24 hrs before they rang back and early on in the Covid period, they seemed to stop answering at all. My last real emergency say four years ago, ( involving a prescription written by a DSN that was incorrect) was solved by calling in during a diabetes clinic and telling the receptionist that I needed to speak to a DSN urgently over the prescription. I waited about 20 mins on this occasion, but a new prescription was issued rapidly. Since Covid, I doubt this would be possible. However, I now have my consultant's email address for emergencies.

 

[DEBBIESCOTT]

I had a wonderful Commuity DSN, had her mobile number & could ring her or go to see her if she was in the office
Now under a consultant I have to ring the hospital, leave a message & they get back to you within 48 hours, rang 13 days ago & still nobody has rung me back

 

[RoughcutAU]

I’ve been very lucky. The Diabetic Clinic at my local hospital (where I was diagnosed) has been amazing and answered my questions promptly. I never had to use it but there was even a 24 hour out of office hours option. Aussie based if that matters.

 

[Hopeful34]

I've got the DSN's mobile number and email address and she responds within 24 hours. I can also ring the Consultant's secretary or diabetes office at the hospital. I count myself very fortunate to have such a good service.

 

[sleepster]

The diabetes centre I attend has several DSNs (I'm still not sure if there's one in particular who is 'mine' ) and when you phone you leave a message and someone rings you back, I haven't rang since last year but in the past they have phoned back within 2 hours (sometimes it's been 15 minutes), there is also options when you ring to speak to a dietitian or the consultant's secretary which is useful.
I have no idea how to go about speaking to the diabetes nurse at my GPs, I've never seen them and have been told they don't deal with type 1.

 

[Rokaab]

I know where I am my diabetes nurse at my doctors is a star - if not urgent it can take a while to get an appointment with her, but she's very good and if urgent she has got back to me quickly (I think she's nearing retirement age now though, I'll be sad when she leaves)

And the diabetes nurses at the hospital are the complete opposite, can often take 3- 4 voicemails left before they ring back (over the space of a few weeks) - last year at some point they weren't even reading the emails sent to them.
Admittedly about a week or two ago I did actually get through to them first time, but possible only cos I rang at exactly the right time

 

[Skippy1]

The nominated 'diabetes nurse' at the surgery has no more knowledge that I do and usually defers to what ever I'm doing. I know it's busy on a Monday, but getting through the surgery receptionist to speak to her today took 3 calls on hold for over 45 minutes each time (had to hang up on the first 2 as I had a life to live!) and she'd gone home by then.
Diabetes team from the hospital are easier to access - receptionist usually pick up the phone, takes a message and DNS rings back later the same day or the next. However, on the 2 occasions when I've been an inpatient recently (not diabetes related), it seems that ward staff let them know as they've been at my bedside within hours!

 

[markpj31]

Ok thank you all. So, it seems pretty standard to have to wait for a while. My BSG are all over the place at the moment and the nearest I can get even a phone consultation is in 2 weeks.

 

[Cariel]

Hi,

I'm finding it difficult to get through to my local DSN service - nobody ever answers the phone for a start, and it takes weeks to return a call.

Is this common in the UK?

Where I live it’s really difficult. I was put on insulin 2 years ago after a gp referral to the area specialist service - no nurses at surgeries any more. They signed me off once my control was deemed ok by them. I need to see them again due to complications and was referred again in January but am told that it’s likely to be May at the earliest before I can be seen. I tried calling and asking for advice about sick days but they wouldn’t speak with me as I was no longer on their list.

 

[EllieM]

Hi @Cariel and welcome to the forums. What type of diabetes do you have? We can probably find you a link to sick day rules, if that helps.

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

Aussie based if that matters.

It certainly does mate, we have Queensland Health, they have NHS which is not in the same league as ours for service.

My CDE bulk billed Medicare when I used to see her, she has now retired so have to find a new one if needed.

 

[markpj31]

It certainly does mate, we have Queensland Health, they have NHS which is not in the same league as ours for service.

For better or worse?

 

[markpj31]

Where I live it’s really difficult. I was put on insulin 2 years ago after a gp referral to the area specialist service - no nurses at surgeries any more. They signed me off once my control was deemed ok by them. I need to see them again due to complications and was referred again in January but am told that it’s likely to be May at the earliest before I can be seen. I tried calling and asking for advice about sick days but they wouldn’t speak with me as I was no longer on their list.

All I got about sick days was a leaflet. They also mention nothing about diet which I find is really odd seeing as diet is a huge part of the 'treatment'.

Apparently they have a staff shortage at my local hub and some are away on holiday so I guess I'll just have to wait. It's been 3 months and I'm still not stable.