How often to people get hospital appointments?

It was every 3 months when my HbA1c was high. Then once my HbA1c was in the 6s for 12 months, my checkup frequency was set to once per year.

As others have said, you need to nag your GP for a check up!

I am a once per year with the hospital and then the GP in-between (at my place they did a funny thing about 3 years ago where if you didn't have complications then you weren't necessarily going to see a consultant - it was all to do with having more consultant time available for t2s that have complications and issues etc. - however I know my consultant pushed that all t1s needed to be seen at least annually even without complications so fortunately I still get seen - though it wasn't with my main consultant so a different part of the team each year which I find harder…I do like consistency even if it is only once a year!)

Emma_P23 said:

I rang them today and after an hour and a half phone call I'm no further along now. They told me that after cancelling one appointment I was struck off from the system so they need a few days to chase it up with a doctor when one is available.


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Hi Emma,
I have just had a hospital appointment today. I saw the consultant inadvertently today. I was supposed to see the dn but was put on the wrong list and got the consultant. Apparently I am entitled to an eye examination at the eye clinic once a year and my doc should have sorted it. I pointed out that I had asked about foot and eye examinations but was told I didn't have complications so didn't need it. Needless to say the consultant was not happy and said he would write to Salisbury and my doc. He did a foot check - all fine and even gave me some strips. Hope this helps!

dsn every week, clinic every month

For the first 13 years I was seen every 6 months at the Hospital clinic, there I saw the consultant, the DN, the Podiatrist, and the Dietician. The Podiatrist tells me my feet are fine, the consultant tells me I have neuropathy in my feet and legs. The dietician tells me I know more about food than she does so there is no point in going over it again.

Then at an annual review, the receptionist told me to make sure I came to my next appointment (in 6 months) or due to the huge increase in patients being diagnosed the next appointment they could give me was 2 years away. Subsequently, after 4 months, they cancelled my appointment and gave me a new one 2 years later. When I called to complain, I was told that there was nothing could be done they just don't have the time to fit everyone in. When I attended in 2013, I was told the next appointment would be in a year, but, the receptionist told me it would actually be 15 months. What got me was the consultant had just given me a new drug which needs monitoring.

I now make the appointments with the Podiatrist (outside the hospital) and the Opthalmologist and it was them that sent me to the Eye Clinic. The GP tells me if I have a problem that I can always come and see him. He only works 3 days a week and to make an appointment with him can mean a wait of 3 weeks.

Emma_P23 said:

I rang them today and after an hour and a half phone call I'm no further along now. They told me that after cancelling one appointment I was struck off from the system so they need a few days to chase it up with a doctor when one is available.

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Just tell your Dr that you are experiencing a few problems and want to be referred back over to the hospital clinic, once your back on their books just make sure you keep the appointments, if you can't then ring the clinic and speak with the consultants secretary and explain the situation to them, otherwise you may find yourself in the same position next time around.

I cannot believe they dropped you from the hospital list because you missed one appointment - that is disgusting. I go to my Community Diabetes DSN and she phones me quite regularly. I also go to my own Drs surgery diabetic clinic every six months. Hope you get an appointment quickly.


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HI. Neither the GP nor the hospital should strike you off for one missed appointment. A cancelled appointment should never be a problem. You are entitled to a diabetes appointment at least once a year. Don't let the surgery give you the run-around; complain to the Practice Manager if necessary.

its a joke ! been diabetic for 17 months type 1 and ive never been given an eye test yet,theve never looked at my feet yet. and ive never seen my GP diabetic nurse for about 7 month,the only time i see anyone is when my partner goes to the hospital diabetic clinic every 2 months then i can ask advice.ive even told them about my GPdiabetic nurse not contacting me i ve never had a blood test for about 7 months,when i need insulin, needles etc i do it on line and collect a perscription from the receptionist. WHAT KIND OF DIABETIC NURSES CARRY ON LIKE THIS WITH A MALE 64YEARS OLD WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES ?

I have an annual review but my team are at the other end of the phone if I need them and my doctors are great too. On insulin pump so they're at the end of the phone too if I need them


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Yearly for eye check up.
Yearly for review @ GP via diabetic nurse.

Although my sugars have never been wildly out of control bar first diagnosis where I had a blood test a month in, another 3 months in, then 6 in. At which point my GP was happy and now it's a yearly thing.

Twice a year at hospital diabetic clinic, twice a year at GPSurgery and eye tests for retinopathy once a year.




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Emma_P23 said:

Update: I have been sent an appointment for the hospital this is hopefully a start to getting back on track!


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Great news !