How often do you see yours?

[Heike]

I have read some of your earlier threads and realized that a lot of my questions have already been asked - and answered. I even found answers to questions I didn't know I had.🙂

I have noticed that you talk about your care team. So I was just wondering how often do you see yours? And who do you see?

I used to see the practice nurse once a year until I was put on insulin by the specialist Dr. At the last visit in Nov she decided to give me a whole year off as I have now achieved good control. I haven't seen the DSN since my introduction to carb counting last year. It would be nice just to talk to somebody ensure I do the right adjustments.

 

[Caroline]

I'm lucky if I get to see anyone...

 

[sofaraway]

I see my diabetes Dr at the hospital yearly in May, but can see her between times if I am having problems, which I did in December. I see my DSN yearly (at the appointment), but speak to her every couple fo months for advice usually.

 

[Lizzie]

I see my dietitian most often, she seems to do a lot of the work of a DSN - for example when I recently had ketones and left a message for a clinic nurse to call me back about them, she was the one who rang me and helped with my insulin dosage. I see the doctor yearly and the eye dept every few months.

 

[Steff]

I'm lucky if I get to see anyone...

ditto caroline

 

[punkyfairy]

i see the diabetic nurse once a year and thats it apart from my yearly eye check with the paula carr mobile unit

 

[Northerner]

I saw lots of people in the first few months after diagnosis, plus there were follow-up phone calls to check all was well. I have official appointments every 6 months (consultant) and 12 months (eyes and feet checks). However, I could ring the DSNs and get an appointment if I needed a chat or had a problem.

 

[aymes]

I have an annual review in theory once a year (usually every 14-15 months though) when I see the consultant, nurse, eye specialist and sometimes the dietician and also a 6 month review where I see the consultant and nurse. If I need to see the nurse or dietician in between it's not too difficult to get an appointment or if I call someone will usually call me back that day.
Our DSNs also so a 'drop in' service for an hour every morning so you can always see someone without an appointment if you have a problem.

 

[Einstein]

In general I see my diabetologist every six months, have eye screening done by the opthalmic consultant every six months, my GPs nurse insists on seeing me very six months. Haven't seen a dietician in years (phew!!!), DN I haven't seen for a while as between the two of them they seem to manage a baby every year 😉

Podiatrist, hmmm thanks for the reminder, in this PCT you arrange your own appointment as so many people didn't bother turning up to their appointment.

Have I left anyone out?

I have posted elsewhere that in 8 years (under the NHS) I've never had a full once over, I did when I first saw my diabetologist, but that was privately for a second opinion and she had to do something to justify the bill!

Overall, except the GP nurse appointment I am satisfied with my level of cover. Would love it if they could do two days a year where I just turned up at the hospital with a flask, bag of sandwiches and plenty to read, had my bloods done, (ok NOT fasting lipids!!), then went through each of the specialities, dietician, nurse, eyes, feet, neurology etc and then finaly the consultant and just got one major rocket twice a year, rather than the numerous.

Would save my time and theirs in the long run, surely?