Not Being Referred to Diabetologist

You are entitled to hospital care. Ask the GP what experience and knowledge of diabetes he has

CarbsRok said:

You are entitled to hospital care. Ask the GP what experience and knowledge of diabetes he has

Click to expand...

Are you sure? My surgery looks after T1 and T2 on the basis that there is diabetes trained GP and DN. Neither are expert at diabetes yet but I assume they would only refer people who have specific problems.

Years ago I was sent a letter telling me my next clinic appointment was changed to several months later, so that it would be over a year between appointments. It was pointed out that GPs were now being paid extra to hold diabetes clinics and, if I felt I should be seen sooner, I should make an appointment with my GP. I mentioned this to my GP who said that these diabetic clinics were for Type 2. She said she felt competent enough to see me at the clinic but said I should phone the hospital and ask for an earlier appointment. I did this and have been having regular hospital appointment ever since.

I believe that, as Type 1, you are entitled to specialist hospital care. It doesn't matter what your HbA1c is at the moment, this can change at any time through no fault of your own.

Ask your GP if they are relying on any specific guidelines or policy that says not all T1s get ongoing specialist care. If there are guidelines, ask for a copy, and see what the referral criteria are. This way, if the current decision was based on the guidelines, you'll know when to ask for a referral if things change.

Hi,
I'm also type 2 and after being seen by a diabeteologist for about a year he told me you don't need to see me anymore and your GP can handle your diabetes problems... I'm feeling a bit nervous...

Halirez said:

Hi,
I'm also type 2 and after being seen by a diabeteologist for about a year he told me you don't need to see me anymore and your GP can handle your diabetes problems... I'm feeling a bit nervous...

Click to expand...

If things are stable, that's cause for congratulations. GPs know a fair bit about managing diabetes in people who are stable. If things change, they can always refer you back to the specialist for a while.

Geri30 said:

I am Type 1 diabetic diagnosed 25 years ago and on MDI. I have been seeing my diabetologist every 6 months for checkups since I was diagnosed, however I have recently relocated and as such said to my diabeteologist that it would be more appropriate to be referred to my new local hospital team, which he did when he wrote to my new GP. My new GP however has now wrote to me to say that they do not feel that I need to referred to the local diabetologist as my HbA1C level is fine at 6.9%. As a Type 1 diabetic, is there anything I can do to change their minds?

Click to expand...

Like you I've been Type 1 for more than 20 years. I see my hospital consultant every year and have never not seen them. When I was first diagnosed, I saw them more frequently, but as my control is very good ( last HbA1C 4.7) I only see the consultant annually. This allows them to check all's well still and that I'm on the appropriate insulin, etc)

If you're not happy, say you want to see a consultant. Years ago a nurse said that I could just see my GP but it transpired that was for Type 2s so I refused. Even when I go to my GP for blood tests, I have to keep reminding them I'm Type 1.