Coming from Italy, need some advice.

Hello Michelle

Welcome to this forum

Next week go and register with a doctor (GP) who is close to where you are going to live. You will be able to find a GP by asking other people or by looking on Yellow pages (website www.yell.com). When you see the GP you can tell him that you are diabetic using an insulin pump and he will be able to prescribe you any insulin that you will need and also blood glucose teststrips for your meter etc. While there you can ask to be referred to a diabetes clinic in a hospital that supports insulin pump therapy. The list of clinics is now increasing in the UK so I hope that you do not have to travel too far to get to one.

This list is probably out of date but lists some of the hospitals that support insulin pumps http://www.input.me.uk/alt-insulin-pumps/pump-clinics/ INPUT are extremely good at helping people so do contact them for any advice.

Not sure what insulin pump you have but if it is possible try to bring as many of your infusion sets, tubes and other pump stuff as your can. You might have to bring 3 months supply with you as you are not staying the UK for very long but I am not sure of this so do contact INPUT.

Hope this helps you

michelecocuccio said:

Hello everyone.
I'm 25 yo and i'm from Italy. I'm moving to London on July 16th and I'll stay for about 3 months.
I've got type 1 diabetes since i was 10yo and now I'm using an insulin pump (for about 5 years).
I'm under concern of a big diabetes center now, and they are helping me with the following certifications:

- Sick note
- Insulin pump certificate
- National Health Service Card

Now questions are. What will I need to do to be under concern of a diabetes center ? How will I find one ? Do i need the NI (National insurance number ? To be more specific i will stay in the SEVEN SISTER area (Greater London N17) is there any diabetes center nearby ?

Thank you in advance for you prompt answers
Michele

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Hi Michele,
I think you need to check with your embassy as to what you need.
I would guess though for a 3 month stay you will not have any referal to a diabetes centre and even if you were it takes at least 3 months to sort out supplies for pumps and 3 months to get an apointment. (So bring your own) In the UK people with type 1 diabetes only get seen every 6 mths to a year, unless very badly controlled. A referal to a pump/diabetes clinic is made via your GP.
All you would need to do though if needing to see a Dr is to go in and register with a GP as a tempery patient.
As to insulin ,again bring your own.