- Messages
- 6,435
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes.
The Diabetes nurse told me nothing except gave me a diet sheet and a prescription for metformin.
Three weeks later, I see my Doctor (today). She is confused as to why I am there. So I remind her about my HbA1c test and she asked to see me?
She (Doctor) Thought Nurse had already booked me in for eyes, more blood tests, inspected my feet and booked me on a DESMOND course. Most of the things she listed I had not heard of, and she was not best pleased with nurse. I said nothing uncomplimentary on that score.
So I am off to the hospital again on Friday for blood tests, urine tests and a few other things unrelated to Diabetes. Test requests on my notes which I didnt know about. The results of most of which should have been ready for the Doctor to discuss with me today. So thats a double appointment wasted, cos the doctor spent the whole time doing what the nurse should have done. And I have had to book another double appointment in 2 weeks time to do what should have been done today. With me so far?
Now, there is a lot more, but I will just use Eye Tests as an example of the problems of getting the right care here:
I should have been referred for an eye test, a special diabetic eye test. Because the nurse didnt do it, I missed the annual screening van which came 2 weeks ago and wont be back (according to my doctor) for 12 months.
She say for me to go to my opticians for the test as she doesnt want me to wait 12 months. So I trundle off to the opticians who inform me that they no longer do tests, any optician at all. Only the official NHS screening services do tests. They suggest I ask the pharmacist where get a test.
Still with me?
So I trundle off to the pharmacist - who doesnt know either, but finds me the phone number of Diabetes UK to ring.
I get home and they are busy so dont answer the phone, so I go on the website, where I find a link to the NHS screening services.
I phone NHS screening services who say “Oh, we are going to your surgery again next week, your doctor should know that” and book me in fro next Thursday.
Dont get me wrong, everyone is being as kind and helpful as can be, but they dont seem to communicate!!!!
and as for the prescriptions fiasco, and the other things, I wont even start on them.
Why dont the Diabetes team know things? Why dont they give out a checklist of what to ask for and ask about?
I dont have time to earn a living,or deal with my illnesses, I am too busy chasing the medical team!!!!
If it wasnt for the kindness of those who have helped me on the Diabetes Forum, Iwould be lost and helpless.
I dont mind doing my organising if I just know what to organise and where and with whom. I didnt even suspect there would need to be certain tests. And if you dont know, and no-one mentions them, what do you do?…………. we are not mind-readers (well, I’m not)
I am just scared i will miss a vital bit of investigation or test or help because no-one told me about it and i didn’t know to ask. If that makes sense.
:evil: :evil: :evil:
The Diabetes nurse told me nothing except gave me a diet sheet and a prescription for metformin.
Three weeks later, I see my Doctor (today). She is confused as to why I am there. So I remind her about my HbA1c test and she asked to see me?
She (Doctor) Thought Nurse had already booked me in for eyes, more blood tests, inspected my feet and booked me on a DESMOND course. Most of the things she listed I had not heard of, and she was not best pleased with nurse. I said nothing uncomplimentary on that score.
So I am off to the hospital again on Friday for blood tests, urine tests and a few other things unrelated to Diabetes. Test requests on my notes which I didnt know about. The results of most of which should have been ready for the Doctor to discuss with me today. So thats a double appointment wasted, cos the doctor spent the whole time doing what the nurse should have done. And I have had to book another double appointment in 2 weeks time to do what should have been done today. With me so far?
Now, there is a lot more, but I will just use Eye Tests as an example of the problems of getting the right care here:
I should have been referred for an eye test, a special diabetic eye test. Because the nurse didnt do it, I missed the annual screening van which came 2 weeks ago and wont be back (according to my doctor) for 12 months.
She say for me to go to my opticians for the test as she doesnt want me to wait 12 months. So I trundle off to the opticians who inform me that they no longer do tests, any optician at all. Only the official NHS screening services do tests. They suggest I ask the pharmacist where get a test.
Still with me?
So I trundle off to the pharmacist - who doesnt know either, but finds me the phone number of Diabetes UK to ring.
I get home and they are busy so dont answer the phone, so I go on the website, where I find a link to the NHS screening services.
I phone NHS screening services who say “Oh, we are going to your surgery again next week, your doctor should know that” and book me in fro next Thursday.
Dont get me wrong, everyone is being as kind and helpful as can be, but they dont seem to communicate!!!!
and as for the prescriptions fiasco, and the other things, I wont even start on them.
Why dont the Diabetes team know things? Why dont they give out a checklist of what to ask for and ask about?
I dont have time to earn a living,or deal with my illnesses, I am too busy chasing the medical team!!!!
If it wasnt for the kindness of those who have helped me on the Diabetes Forum, Iwould be lost and helpless.
I dont mind doing my organising if I just know what to organise and where and with whom. I didnt even suspect there would need to be certain tests. And if you dont know, and no-one mentions them, what do you do?…………. we are not mind-readers (well, I’m not)
I am just scared i will miss a vital bit of investigation or test or help because no-one told me about it and i didn’t know to ask. If that makes sense.
:evil: :evil: :evil: