Medical practice:are there any NHS standards about diabetes?

[andrewkoudr]

Hello, I am registered as T1 (25 years) in my medical practice and have diabetic reviews once a year. When I asked a GP, can I get access to a diabetes specialist in hospital, he replied that it is possible only for persons with badly controlled diabetes.

The questions are
(1) are there any NHS standards about diabetic review frequency?
(2) if I wish to book an appointment to an ENDOCRYNOLOGIST in a hospital or anywhere, is it possible or absolutely not?

Thank you, Andrey

 

[noblehead]

Re: Medical practice:are there any NHS standards about diabe

Hi Andrey,

1) You should be seen every 12 months for a review of your diabetes, there's a 15 point care plan that Diabetes UK have put together detailing what you should expect when the review takes place:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/upload/About ... cklist.pdf

2) If you have concerns about your diabetes and your gp surgery can't address them then you have every right to be referred.

I was initially under the care of the hospital clinic but got transferred over to the care of my gp for a short while, during this time I was having a few insulin related problems and asked my gp if I could be referred back, he did so and I'm still under the care of the hospital diabetes clinic several years later.

 

[GraceK]

Re: Medical practice:are there any NHS standards about diabe

I had to see my GP last week as an emergency because I thought I was heading for a 'Meniere's Spin'. For anyone who doesn't know, Meniere's Disease is a problem with the inner ear and the fluid which controls our balance. And a Meniere's Spin isn't fun. It's like being inside a washing machine on fast spin! Impossible to keep on your feet as the room spins around at fast speed often accompanied with vomiting and I kept falling over every time I tried to stand up. It's a horrible experience so I sure didn't want another one last week. When I got to my GP practice I saw a new GP who said "We don't see you here very often do we?" And it was a sort of gentle reprimand and I knew what she was going to say ... which was ... "You haven't had your diabetic review this year have you? Hmmm ... " So I took the opportunity to tell her that the diabetes nurse told me I didn't need one when I asked her, because I'd done so well the PREVIOUS YEAR and on that basis she'd halved my Metformin.

She said "Well, I AM VERY INTERESTED in diabetes and I'm telling you I want you reviewed EVERY YEAR, so let's start with blood and urine tests tomorrow and I'll see you again next week. As far as the Meniere's goes you've never been given a PROPER diagnosis because you weren't referred to ENT, so let's do that as well ..."

I didn't have time to ask her the other question I wanted to ask which is "Does Metformin come in smaller tablets or capsules?" because I also have gastric problems and a Schiatzki ring in my duodenum which makes it very narrow and I can feel the Metformin as it passes through that area and the pain is sometimes unbearable.

Does anyone else know if Metformin comes in smaller sizes or can it be chopped in half - because the pain is really excruciating at times.

I'm feeling really sorry for myself this week. :-(

 

[abs]

Re: Medical practice:are there any NHS standards about diabe

You can get a powder version of metformin to add into water could be a option instead of tablets?

 

[GraceK]

Re: Medical practice:are there any NHS standards about diabe

You can get a powder version of metformin to add into water could be a option instead of tablets?

Yes, thanks for that. Sid messaged me before about asking the pharmacist, so that's what I did this afternoon. He said not to cut Metformin SR in half because it alters the slow release effect, but he also told me that they make Metformin in sachets and also in liquid form, which is good to know. I'll ask my GP for that next time. :thumbup:

 

[abs]

Re: Medical practice:are there any NHS standards about diabe

That's ok they will not issue the liquid as its too expensive pharmacies don't even stock it but powder is cheap doesn't taste that nice but still better than tablets