T2 Diabetic clinic appointment - how to arrange?

[IronLioness]

Hi all,
Newly diagnosed T2. There's been some mentions of the need to arrange a visit/appointment for a diabetic clinic as standard/required for newly diagnosed, but how does one organise this? Is it automatically done by Docs or do I need to call and arrange? - I'm newly diagnosed, one month ago, and not sure as none of the literature the DESMOND course mentions it. I have my first review in 3 months, do I need to wait until that?

Also interested in how to get an appointment/check over by the foot nurse?

Sorry, a bit new to to this and not sure what the process is.

All advice appreciate. Thanks all.

 

[Guzzler]

Not everyone is referred to a Diabetes Clinic, I've never even seen a GP wrt Diabetes. A full review which includes a referral for a Retinopathy Screening is usually done quite soon after diagnosis (if not done on the same day). This is for those diagnosed with Type 2. These full reviews should be done at least once per year but may be more frequent depending on progress/management.

Personally, I think that I have been ignored a little because I am further away from the 'danger zone' than I was at diagnosis but it just might be because I 'Won't be told'.

 

[ally1]

My surgery do reviews for t2.
If t1 here, and is well controlled then the surgery do their reviews.
As far as I am aware, t1 are referred to to the diabetic clinic.
In saying that, here t2 that's out of control then occasionally my surgery will refer them to the hospital diabetic clinic

 

[Daibell]

Hi. By default the surgery will do T2 annual reviews with the nurse or GP. You need to ask the surgery reception whether they do them. If they do then book an appointment a few weeks before the 3 month point with whoever they normally use for reviews. Book a blood test either at the surgery phlebotomist if they have one or the local hospital bloods room. Unless you are worried about your feet I would leave it to the DN or GP to check them out at the review; it's one of the standard checks. BTW if you have online access to the surgery computer system then ask for access to the test results level. It's good to be able to go to the review knowing your results. All surgeries now have to provide some online access since April a year ago so don't be fobbed off. I have my reviews done at the surgery partly because I'm still listed as T2 although on Basal/Bolus insulin and obviously a late onset T1. The nurse is excellent and handles most diabetic types.

 

[bulkbiker]

Hi all,
There's been some mentions of the need to arrange a visit/appointment for a diabetic clinic as standard/required for newly diagnosed, but how does one organise this? Is it automatically done by Docs or do I need to call and arrange? - I'm newly diagnosed, one month ago, and not sure as none of the literature the DESMOND course mentions it. I have my first review in 3 months, do I need to wait until that?

Also interested in how to get an appointment/check over by the foot nurse?

Sorry, a bit new to to this and not sure what the process is.

All advice appreciate. Thanks all.

Stick a note in your calendar and if they haven't contacted you then phone and give them a nudge.. Also if they are doing hbA1c and cholesterol tests try and get the bloods taken the week before the review so you have the results ready for the review.. My surgery always tries to get the review at the same time as the bloods which means you have to wait for a period ( a year in my case) before they get discussed which seems to me to be crazy. Luckily I have online access to test results and am happy to analyse mine to see how I'm doing.

 

[Resurgam]

As a type two I got a few hours of silly things being said to me and then a Hba1c test at 80 days, 6 months, and then a long silence.
Other than being encouraged to take tablets again, no one seemed much bothered.
You area might be different, but they don't seem all that fussed about diabetes at my clinic.

 

[IronLioness]

Not everyone is referred to a Diabetes Clinic, I've never even seen a GP wrt Diabetes. A full review which includes a referral for a Retinopathy Screening is usually done quite soon after diagnosis (if not done on the same day). This is for those diagnosed with Type 2. These full reviews should be done at least once per year but may be more frequent depending on progress/management.

Personally, I think that I have been ignored a little because I am further away from the 'danger zone' than I was at diagnosis but it just might be because I 'Won't be told'.

Good to know. Yup, I'm T2, the doc mentioned it on diagnosis but my head was all over the place so I can't remember exactly what it was he wanted me to do. I'll check in with them, sounds like a good way to go

 

[IronLioness]

My surgery do reviews for t2.
If t1 here, and is well controlled then the surgery do their reviews.
As far as I am aware, t1 are referred to to the diabetic clinic.
In saying that, here t2 that's out of control then occasionally my surgery will refer them to the hospital diabetic clinic

I'm T2, too. It sounds like I need to check in with them.

 

[IronLioness]

Hi. By default the surgery will do T2 annual reviews with the nurse or GP. You need to ask the surgery reception whether they do them. If they do then book an appointment a few weeks before the 3 month point with whoever they normally use for reviews. Book a blood test either at the surgery phlebotomist if they have one or the local hospital bloods room. Unless you are worried about your feet I would leave it to the DN or GP to check them out at the review; it's one of the standard checks. BTW if you have online access to the surgery computer system then ask for access to the test results level. It's good to be able to go to the review knowing your results. All surgeries now have to provide some online access since April a year ago so don't be fobbed off. I have my reviews done at the surgery partly because I'm still listed as T2 although on Basal/Bolus insulin and obviously a late onset T1. The nurse is excellent and handles most diabetic types.

Thanks for this Daibell. I'll see about the online system, I've never seen online before, or at least it's not promoted in my surgery. At the DESMOND course I got a print out of my BG, cholesterol and other readings, quite the eye opener that was. Not as bad as I thought on some things, not so good on others.

 

[IronLioness]

Stick a note in your calendar and if they haven't contacted you then phone and give them a nudge.. Also if they are doing hbA1c and cholesterol tests try and get the bloods taken the week before the review so you have the results ready for the review.. My surgery always tries to get the review at the same time as the bloods which means you have to wait for a period ( a year in my case) before they get discussed which seems to me to be crazy. Luckily I have online access to test results and am happy to analyse mine to see how I'm doing.

Thanks BB, this is good info, and totally makes sense re: doing the advance tests so they can be discussed at review. I think I'll do that, diary note it then call in December to make the appointment, so I can test before review.

 

[IronLioness]

As a type two I got a few hours of silly things being said to me and then a Hba1c test at 80 days, 6 months, and then a long silence.
Other than being encouraged to take tablets again, no one seemed much bothered.
You area might be different, but they don't seem all that fussed about diabetes at my clinic.

Wow! That's not reassuring at all is it? It seems a lot of the time it's a post code lottery in terms of patient care for diabetes. My Dad lost 3 toes because of highly sketchy negligence of a diabetic nurse who just kept waving him off with a "you'll be OK". He was not OK, as it turns out. The toes continued to turn black, as did part of his foot, where the infection spread, and ended up with me getting him transferred to a London specialist clinic. Thank God they managed to fix him, stop the infection, albeit he did lose toes because our docs didn't pick it up quickly. It's taught me that sometimes you need to 'fight' for your own care in these circumstances. I'm not taking any chances with my own situation. I'll give my surgery a call if I hear nada.

 

[Rachox]

I’ve only ever seen my GP and my care has been good. Each time I go he says when he’d like to see me next and says to book a blood test for two weeks beforehand. I can see my results on line a day or two after the sample is taken. At the moment I know the result of my most recent HbA1c and I’m off to see my GP on Friday for review.

 

[IronLioness]

I’ve only ever seen my GP and my care has been good. Each time I go he says when he’d like to see me next and says to book a blood test for two weeks beforehand. I can see my results on line a day or two after the sample is taken. At the moment I know the result of my most recent HbA1c and I’m off to see my GP on Friday for review.

Cheers Rachox. This online system you guys are talking about sounds fab! I definitely need to get involved in that. I'll see if I can arrange access, I think it would be valuable to see my results in 'live' time.

 

[Guzzler]

Cheers Rachox. This online system you guys are talking about sounds fab! I definitely need to get involved in that. I'll see if I can arrange access, I think it would be valuable to see my results in 'live' time.

You may have to visit your practice to register for online access, remember to take ID including photo ID. Good Luck.

 

[Rachox]

Cheers Rachox. This online system you guys are talking about sounds fab! I definitely need to get involved in that. I'll see if I can arrange access, I think it would be valuable to see my results in 'live' time.

I already had access to making appts and ordering repeat prescriptions on line when I requested access to medical records. It is limited to basic test results, allergies and vaccinations but I was amused to see the records of my vaccinations going right back to 1962! I had to attend the surgery with ID to request access and by the time I drove home it had been authorised but I do know that some people have a bit of trouble getting it sorted.

 

[IronLioness]

I already had access to making appts and ordering repeat prescriptions on line when I requested access to medical records. It is limited to basic test results, allergies and vaccinations but I was amused to see the records of my vaccinations going right back to 1962! I had to attend the surgery with ID to request access and by the time I drove home it had been authorised but I do know that some people have a bit of trouble getting it sorted.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I'll see if I can do the necessary to get access. It seems that would be a huge help, information wise.