Availability of another diabetic clinic when I move?

[Rach79]

I'm moving from where I live to a different city and I'm worried I won't get another diabetic clinic when I go :| How do I go about registering for one does anyone know :?: Do I go through a GP or would I register personally with the nearest diabetic clinic :?:

Thanks,
Rach

 

[scottishkate]

You'll need to sign up with a new GP who will then refer you to a local clinic. It won't be any problem.

Katie

 

[LittleSue]

Katie's right, but there are a few things to watch for.

If you're on DAFNE or similar flexible regime, mention this otherwise you could get referred somewhere they don't understand your regime and give you a hard time about 'rules' that no longer apply.

If you don't hear anything within 3-4 weeks of asking for referral, chase it up. There are targets for new referrals and you should hear something (an appointment, or invitation to arrange it) pretty quickly, so if not something's gone wrong.

If the GP surgery say they have their own diabetic clinic, check its run by specialists (docs and DSNs from hospitals sometimes run outreach clinics in larger GP surgeries). Otherwise it could be a practice nurse who only knows the basics about diabetes. My new GP forgot to refer me, when I queried it they invited me to their "diabetic clinic". This "clinic" turned out to be a practice nurse who knew nothing about insulin - inappropriate for a type 1.

You're entitled to choose your hospital/consultant but if new to the area the names may not mean much to you. Check NHS Choices in advance to see what services are available where. Or why not tell us where you're moving to - maybe folks here can recommend a clinic.

Hope this helps

 

[hanadr]

I've had the same GP for over 30 years, so have no experience, but I suggest you get your present Doctor to give you a prescription for more than you usually need, to cover any delays.

 

[Trinkwasser]

I've had the same GP for over 30 years, so have no experience, but I suggest you get your present Doctor to give you a prescription for more than you usually need, to cover any delays.

I'll go along with that.

Also it might help to check your new PCT's website, sometimes they will have lists of facilities and also a copy of the local formulary so you can see which of your meds they may decide to change before you move and do some research.

Has anyone ever been changed back from basal/bolus to mixturd on moving? Or from Lantus back to NPH?

 

[goji]

I don't know if GPs get some kind of cash incentive to treat inhouse but one GP I registered at was really reluctant to refer me to a clinic as he kept saying that he ran his own clinics. It was only after much pestering and a high Hba1c reading that I managed to get a referral.

I wanted to be at the clinic as I feel they can offer specialist advice for T1 and also it gives you access to the DSN and dietician if needed. I have found it really helpful on a couple of occasions to be able to speak to a DSN. You just wouldn't get that kind of help from a local GP nurse.

I think there are some GPs who are taking extra qualifications to specialise in diabetes (GPSI I think they are called) but again I would question just how well qualified that makes them as apparently the GPSI's who are 'dermatology specialists' keep botching skin ops etc and there are lots of complaints from derms about the quality of their work. Perhaps it is different in diabetes but who knows.

Then again you might be lucky and have a GP like Katharine but I imagine she is a rare breed.
G

 

[Trinkwasser]

I don't know if GPs get some kind of cash incentive to treat inhouse but one GP I registered at was really reluctant to refer me to a clinic as he kept saying that he ran his own clinics. It was only after much pestering and a high Hba1c reading that I managed to get a referral.

This probably depends on the PCT.

Type 1s generally get referred to specialists whereas Type 2s are generally unable to progress beyond GP care but this may depend on your area and the accountants who run things.

 

[Katharine]

Before you move, get a summary of your GP record and a photocopy of any important letters or recent tests.

Keep it on YOU.

Records are often delayed in transfer or go missing. Get 2 months worth of repeat prescriptions before you go as well.

 

[Rach79]

Hi people. Thanks for all your help - I wouldn't have even thought of half that before I leave. Also I was going to register with a GP in the area which runs a 'diabetic clinic' but now I'm a bit skeptical and will make sure they have all the diabetic specialists there.

I was wondering if the diabetic clinic I have will copy information for me to hand to a new clinic but I guess I will just ask and see.

Thanks again for all your help.

Rach

 

[Rach79]

Katie's right, but there are a few things to watch for.

If you're on DAFNE or similar flexible regime, mention this otherwise you could get referred somewhere they don't understand your regime and give you a hard time about 'rules' that no longer apply.

If you don't hear anything within 3-4 weeks of asking for referral, chase it up. There are targets for new referrals and you should hear something (an appointment, or invitation to arrange it) pretty quickly, so if not something's gone wrong.

If the GP surgery say they have their own diabetic clinic, check its run by specialists (docs and DSNs from hospitals sometimes run outreach clinics in larger GP surgeries). Otherwise it could be a practice nurse who only knows the basics about diabetes. My new GP forgot to refer me, when I queried it they invited me to their "diabetic clinic". This "clinic" turned out to be a practice nurse who knew nothing about insulin - inappropriate for a type 1.

You're entitled to choose your hospital/consultant but if new to the area the names may not mean much to you. Check NHS Choices in advance to see what services are available where. Or why not tell us where you're moving to - maybe folks here can recommend a clinic.

Hope this helps

That has helped me a lot - thanks.

I'm just not sure how to get the records now from the diabetic clinic. I'm not on DAFNE or anything like that as they don't appear to offer it where I live or at least they haven't offered me it if they have and I haven't managed to get a response from them for over a month now.

I might ring up health services and ask them how I might obtain the notes as the new clinic will need a record of everything.

Rachael