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Diabetic register

I cannot see what being put on a register has to do with high percentages of patients missing appts but anyway..
Yes, I have opted out of a certain one. I ignored them at first but the letters kept on coming, the last one being a veiled threat to remove me from my GP practice if I didn't go. To opt out I phoned, put my reasons in writing as requested, then got the opt out form, complete with booklet and reasons why I shouldn't opt out.

Anyway, this is getting a bit far away from the post of the OP, so I'll leave it there, and we can agree to disagree Expat.
 
One phrase is key here: Informed consent.

Basically when one accepts the referral to the eye exam one is considered to have given implied consent to be placed on the register. This register as far as I can work out is simply a list of diabetic patients and when their annual eye exam is due. If you miss your annual exam then you are removed from the register. Basically at any time you can withdraw your consent to being on the register (including not being put on in the first place). Healthcare professionals are trained that they have to do everything in their power to make sure that patients understand the issue.
 
Yes, informed consent - if they know the register exists! I know people who do miss their Hba1c's and their eye screening but still get reminders so they must still be on this register. All rather confusing
 
@Ladybird if you are not aware that the register exists, it could be argued that you have not given consent. Is it reasonable for a health professional to assume consent?
 
I guess that's what they do generally RoS. In my case the answer would probably have been no, not at that time. Anyway, now I know. Wondered why I still get called for eye screenings!
 
RoseofSharon said:
@Ladybird if you are not aware that the register exists, it could be argued that you have not given consent. Is it reasonable for a health professional to assume consent?
Click to expand...

I would assume if you are advised you will be given an annual check, whether it's for hba1c, retinopathy, or any other health 'recall', it's reasonable to assume there is a marker on your medical record, or you appear on a system that facilitates such recalls.
That further begs the question as to what is meant by a 'register'
Is it a marker of your NHS record, that triggers communication to other departments?
As such, it can be pulled out as a record from the search of that database, as can any condition.
There is a best practice, to give best care to patients, so it would not be unreasonable to request patients formally request that the care is downgraded, and to provide a waiver to the practice in that case.
 
What is a Diabetes Register?
A Diabetes Register is a list of all patients in your practice with Diabetes Mellitus. A basic register will include patient details (Name, Address, Date of Birth, Gender, Tel. No., etc.), and the type of Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2 or Gestational) and the date of diagnosis.

Why is a Diabetes Register important?
A diabetes register is a tool to help the practice team identify and track patients with diabetes. It can help the team ensure their diabetes patients receive the care they need when they need it. A diabetes register is essential for reliable call and recall of people with diabetes.

Specifically GPs can use a diabetes register to:
Identify how many people have diabetes in the practice;
Provide key information for patients and doctors during a practice visit;
Establish the care currently provided to diabetes patients in the practice;
Register your diabetes patients for community-based screening programmes e.g. retinal screening
Identify diabetes patients with apparent gaps in their care e.g. those who have not attended for the annual flu vaccination;
Highlight at-risk patients who need extra care and help target them for follow-up;
Support audits of diabetes care. These may cover overall quality of care, how patient care matches clinical guidelines for the management of diabetes, or to work on improving one aspect of diabetes care in the practice.

http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/living/diabetes/Diabetesregister.html
 
All people over the age of 12 with diabetes mellitus should be offered eye screening for diabetic retinopathy within 3 months of diagnosis. The GP informs the local Diabetic Eye Screening Programme soon after diagnosis and the person is added to their database and called for eye screening. Sometimes communication is not perfect so if you haven't had eye screening within 3 months, you need to chase this up with your GP.
 

That seems to imply a leather bound ledger, with the details painstakingly drafted in by ink and quill.
Nowadays it far more likely to to a SQL query on a national database.
 
Crystal clear. Thanks all.
 
It's probably worth querying that with your DN - the guidance from the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is
that patients should be screened annually for life if there has ever been a definite diagnosis of diabetes, excluding gestational diabetes. The GP practices regularly update their local Diabetic Eye Screening Programme with lists of current diabetic patients so that people who have moved away or died don't get called for screening. I would worry that someone not on the diabetic register might not get called for eye screening.
 
So my experience from moving a lot is that they do not call or arrange appointments unless it's requested. Every time I've had to get a referral done to the eye and feet clinic. I have had to do this for the last 6 years so they don't do it
 
Fayefaye1429 said:
So my experience from moving a lot is that they do not call or arrange appointments unless it's requested. Every time I've had to get a referral done to the eye and feet clinic. I have had to do this for the last 6 years so they don't do it
Click to expand...
Sadly this happens too often. I hope you complain ....
 
Many times but really it can't go further than practice manager so I decided each time I move I'll bug them till I get a referral usually works lol
 
You can go higher than the practice manager as all Drs surgeries, hospitals etc. Answer to the care quality commission.
It might just be that the threat of involving the CQC would be enough...
 
RoseofSharon said:
You can go higher than the practice manager as all Drs surgeries, hospitals etc. Answer to the care quality commission.
It might just be that the threat of involving the CQC would be enough...
Click to expand...

Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't - CQC can be rather hit and miss. But I agree that it should be the port of call, there is also PALS.
 
 
I don't know if you are all aware but there is a call for screening to be done every 2 years (not sure from when) for all but those patients with current problems.
 
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