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Consultant appointments - how often?

C

Circuspony

Well-Known Member
Messages
972
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Any idea if there is a 'service level' for how often a T1 is supposed to see a consultant, have blood tests etc?

I was due an appointment at the end of May but received a cancellation letter this morning from Stoke Mandeville. Its very much a standard letter so gives no info apart from 'we're very sorry but we've cancelled your appointment'. End of May wasn't particularly convenient anyway, but I'm wondering how often they are supposed to see us before I phone them up and ask for a new appointment.
 
Not sure about appointments with the consultant (I think 1 a year sounds reasonable) but as far as blood tests go I've been told to book an appointment for them every 6 months at my GP.
 
My preference has always been every 4-6 months, mostly as a hangover for paediatrics where it would be 3-4 months
 
I prefer every 3 months, specially because of my heart complications. My consultations with diabetician are in private hospital and more expensive.
 
hi circuspony i have blood tests every 3 months and i see consultant every 6 months get eyes and feet tested once a year and see diabetic nurse roughly every 8-12 weeks i have only been diagnosed for a year but this seems the average appointments here in liverpool not sure about elsewhere hope this helps xx
 
sorry to highjack your thread but i notice youve changed from lantus to tresiba has this been better for you x
 
I see my consultant annually but have good access to my diabetes nurse via email if I have an specific issues.
The blood tests are always done just before my annual consultant review. They are not done any more often unless needed for a specific purpose such as an operation last year.

One thing to bear in mind if you appointments end up more than 12 months apart: if you have to renew your driving licenses they need reference to the last appointment in the last 12 months. This nearly caught me out when my appointment was delayed to 14 monthly due to lack of staff but I managed to submit my application 364 days ... just making the 12 month cut-off.
 
Hi @Circuspony I was seeing the consultant every 6 months for the first couple of years after diagnosis, until the consultant asked me if I was happy with an annual appointment which I was. It is very much down to how much support you need as it's really there to help you and support you. I see my local GP once a year, but that's just a tick box visit to check that I am still alive, taking insulin and if any of my medication has changed.
 
Blood tests (HBA1C) every 3 months and consultant every 6 months ALSO dietitian every 3-4 months
 
Hi, Initially it was 3 months apart for the first 6 months. Now I'm 8 months in they've changed it to 6 month appointment. That's OK with me because I know I can get in touch with the diabetic specialist nurse if needed and my health centre are magic.
 
karen8967 said:
sorry to highjack your thread but i notice youve changed from lantus to tresiba has this been better for you x
Click to expand...
Loads better! I've got a thread somewhere on it. Muscle aches gone and levels a lot more stable on it.
 
for the last few years I have been seeing my Consultant every 4 months (I just think he likes me), but before I was switched over to the pump it was every six months, which I think is about the norm for up here in the often sunny north east (its freeeezing)
 
3-6 months if my blood sugars are dodgy (or any complications require investigation) but these often get postponed because they are too too busy! I have now requested every 9 months because I don't feel I get much useful info back from the endocrinologist/diabetologist but there is the option to get all the morbidity checks (as in HBA1c, kidneys, lipids, liver health etc.) done more frequently via the GP/phlebotomist at the surgery.
Foot checks should be done 1 x per year too.
You should still have access to the Diabetic Nurse in between clinics though for practical questions.
Depends on what you are getting out of your consultant visits!?
 
Once a year-ish.
 
6 monthly appointments but over the last few years usually receive notification putting appointment back from anything between a few days and up to 5/6 weeks.
Either more diabetics or less resources
 
Mine's currently 6 monthly, once over there was a yearly 'review' bloods, weight, urine, feet all at the hospital then the hospital discharged all diabetics back to their GP's around the time GP's offered reviews, but at the GP's review the nurse said she only did t2s, so the Dr referred me back to the hospital clinic. these days I go to the GP one just for the foot pulse bit as the hospital doesn't do that.

I discovered a couple of weeks back that I can ring and book to see a DN at the hospital when I like but don't know if that options been available for the last 33 years or not grrrr. And having rung to avail myself of said appointment wanting to make the change to Tresiba I was offered in Jan pre Libre I'm told I can't have one but they'll move my consultant appointment forward a month to June which is no help but at least I now know things haven't changed...
 
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