Patient information

Endocrinology

Find out what to expect from your appointment with our diabetes service.

Before your appointment

If you have a blood glucose diary, please bring it with you to your appointment. Please also remember to check your appointment letter for anything specific you have been asked to take with you. In addition, it would be helpful if you could bring the following:

Your full address and telephone number(s)
Your appointment card and appointment letter
Your GP’s name and address
A list of your current medications
Money to pay for any prescriptions, or an exemption card
A list of questions you may want to ask your consultant.

During your appointment

During your first appointment you will be seen by a consultant or a specialist registrar who will ask you some questions about your diabetes and your general health and may examine you, paying particular attention to things like your feet and eyes, which may be affected by diabetes.

You might also need to have a blood test and provide a urine sample. You will meet other members of the team including the diabetes specialist nurse who will talk to you about diabetes care and give you some literature to read about your condition and how to manage it.

The diabetes specialist nurse will also provide you with any necessary equipment you may need to manage your condition such as blood glucose monitors and insulin pens, monitoring diaries, and ID cards to meet your specific needs. At your appointment you may be asked to change your treatment and we might offer lifestyle advice and support for self-management of your diabetes.

You may also be seen by the dietitian who will give you advice about your diet and your treatment to help you manage your diabetes. You will also be offered a one-to-one follow up appointment with the nurse for further support.

After your appointment

If required we will arrange for you to be seen again in the right diabetes clinics or by a different specialist and we will make sure you have the right treatment plan and follow up. If diabetes is causing problems with your feet, you may also be referred to our podiatrist (foot specialist). The doctor can also arrange for you to see one of our clinical psychologists to offer emotional support with some of the issues around diabetes. We will write a letter to you and you doctor with all of the details after your appointment.