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T2 care in your area -/+ ?

wellwell1212

Well-Known Member
Messages
133
Location
Swindon Wiltshire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Liars and cheats
There has been a series of articles in our local paper this week featuring diabetes in the local Swindon Wilts area. Apparently we have twice the national average for lower limb amputations and over 100 people die as a result of T2 ever year in Swindon, which is also stated to be some sort of national record :( Anyway, it seems to me that, something is well wrong with T2 care in my area. I have been diagnosed for over 10yrs with T2 and I have to report following as my experience over the last 10 yrs .....

1. Never had my feet cared for by a trained professional.
2. Never seen a dietitian.
3. Experienced very aggressive drug treatment, to the detriment of my well being.
4. Found that self help on diet and exercise, largely form encouragement on here, had best results.

How's you area ? I was wondering who holds the record at the other end of the scale, I might consider moving there :wink:
 
My little part of W Sussex is served by two practices in the one building with no other choice within 10 miles. The side I use offers minimal support for T2's with only once per year checks for everything inc eye photography. However, if you really push and make a fuss, the hard pushed practice nurse will try her best to see you twice a year with all the usual blood/urine tests.
If I do think I have a problem I short circuit the nurse and push to see the head of practice and that is usually within three days max unless he is on one of his many holidays.
 
My area seems to be above the National average but still only has a percentage of around 57% of patients receiving all relevant tests, thats if I've read it right and the top dog Gateshead still only gives just under 70% of patients all the care they should have, seems pretty poor to me or am I being unrealistic :?:
 
I am very Lucky then--My practice in Blackburn Lancs has a brilliant Diabetic Nurse and u get excellent care from her and also my GP.
Had all the checks and get them regular---nurse is just a phone call away......
Any Diabetic fears when first diagnosed were soon removed with a caring understanding practice.


Hope it gets better for u all
 
I think the care in my area seems very good, but I havent been diabetic for very long!

I was diagnosed in august, was on medication the day I was diagnosed, saw the nurse 4 weeks later (it was summer, everyone was on holiday!) at the first appointment she did the bloods, did the ultrasound on my feet, referred me to to DESMONDS, and booked my next appointment for four weeks later. At that appointment she also did the flu/pneumococal jabs. I had the eye screening within a few weeks, the results from that within a few days. When I started feeling unwell a few weeks ago I saw my gp who got me an urgent appointment with the nurse again, who changed my meds and also issued me with a BG meter and test strips on prescription so I can home test. I now get 2 weekly phonecalls from my nurse to get the results of the home testing and see how things are going.

This is not unique to me, my husband is also type 2 and he gets the same excellent treatment.

My mum is also diabetic but she is very well controlled so has less intervention, but even so she is very well looked after by her surgery, has three-monthly blood tests and 6-monthly eye screening as she is older and has retinopathy (but very mildly).

I honestly have no complaints about the care I have had so far. I know I can get in contact with someone at any time and I am never rushed and all my questions have been answered an fears rested.
:D
 
My practice (I'm in Hampshire but practice is just over border in W Sussex) is very good with diabetic care. I get seen twice a year and the nurse checks weight, blood pressure, feet etc. I would say the only complaint is that I have to buy my own test strips.
 
Hi,

I'm in Burton On Trent and I've had superb service from all aspects of my diabetic care.

* Retina laser surgery within a week, and still have check ups every quarter. Thankfully no more lasering.
* Local diabetes nurse sees me every quarter too, more if I have an issue. I just text her.
* Local foot doctor sees me twice a week. I also have an unofficial text service, but given my foot is on the front page of Podiatry weekly I can call on my fame.
* Consultant at Diabetic clinic in the Hospital sees me once every 6 weeks.

I try to do some work around these appointments.

It's top marks from me for all the team here. Nicci, Tone, Rach, Trace, Mr W, Mizz F, Nurse who looks like "chas" off Emmerdale, and Mr L.
[mod edit: full names changed to initial]
 
I live in Stoke-on-Trent and have been offered foot care, dietitian appointments, eye care and everything else. I see my GP diabetic nurse once a year for a check up - she does regular blood tests for liver function through the year and will hoick me in as and when she thinks there is a problem. My DSN also does monthly calls and I see her every three months.

I know I shouldn't complain, but there are times in the year when it's all diabetic appointments and I feel bogged down by it. But full marks to them all for looking after me so well.
 
I Live in Halifax, get all the bits tested and very quickly after diagnosis (less than two weeks).

GP is very supportive, quick podiatry service. Dietician a complete waste of skin must have last updated her research requirement about 20 years ago.

Retinopathy could have taken a while if I had gone with vision express who had a few months wait. Rang a local long established optician and was seen in days.

Of to a Desmond next week, that I had a wait for.


I know what a previous poster means about everything is Diabetes though.

Now the dietician. I work on events in the summer. If everything is going well I can get maybe a meal a day, once its up and running then if it is going well I get to eat properly. The problem comes when I am working form 7.30 in the morning till gone midnight sometimes with no breaks at all, just eat in the fly. If the burger vans are open then its grab something in passing (the regulars look after you with food and a brew ready to grab as you go past). That leaves the last day of set up when everyone is arriving and everyone one wants you. Dietician says I have to eat three meals a day (yeah and when exactly do I get to prepare a meal or sit down). Then the issue of on a average event I loose 3 lbs. Long days moving fences, driving stakes and walking around 20 miles a day does that. Suggestion put some cold sausages in your pocket or a couple of ryvitas. OK a couple of ryvitas a day is going to help how... Sausages great food poisoning tip....


Now I know some people will suggest its a great way of loosing weight. I don't need to :)
 
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