Annual Reviews?

[grovesy]

I've had to fight for anything to do with the annual review. On enquiry offered a blood test & then a telephone consult with practise nurse, but nothing else. what about bp, height & weight? Oh, that can be done by a robot (?) when you book yet another appointment. What about foot exam, ignored. Without sounding pompous I've always been taught to 'know your numbers' and ask questions, be an empowered and knowledgeable patient. How over the phone can this work?
I'm able to go to the dentist/hygienist for treatment & have a blood test why not see the practice nurse? What are all the medics doing are they on half pay? Sorry for the rant, but I think in this case Covid is being allowed to take charge when it's not necessary.

Where are you having your bloods done?

 

[Toucan]

Apart from a cancelled retinotherapy check, I had no communication from my GP clinic or support services at all since COVID began.

But I recently took a look at the Practice site which has been totally re-vamped and all appointments etc are now available on line - plus some form filling for triage etc.

So I had my blood test yesterday, and now there is a comprehensive on line form to fill in to request a Diabetes check. It seems to ask most of the questions I would normally be asked during a review, plus a place to record finger prick test and blood pressure for the last week. There is even a diagram of 2 feet to enable marking of any problem areas. So I am in the process of completing it and we will see what happens next.

I also had a non-Diabetes non urgent query, and took the option on the site to 'Ask the Doctor a Question'. I received a very comprehensive answer within a few hours. Really good, as under the old system the only way of getting an answer would have been via an appointment. So quite a time saver for the doctor and me.

So quite impressed so far, and hopefully we will end up with a better system than we had before. but we will see how it goes.

 

[JohnWhi]

My normal annual review with a nurse at the GP surgery and review of medication (the two appointments sometimes combined) did not happen this year, though I was called for an annual review at the hospital pump clinic. Urine sample, HbA1c by fingerprick, and weight were tested but there was no other physical examination. I had a pleasant chat with a consultant, mainly concerning the possibility of moving to a new pump with CGM some time next year. A couple of weeks later, I was called by one of the GPs to discuss the hospital appointment. This gave me the opportunity to mention the essential items that had been deleted from my repeat prescriptions. I mentioned that I am usually required to have an annual Doppler test for circulation in legs. The doctor told me that this was unlikely to happen, as he had requested one for somebody else and there had been no response. Marty is lucky with the dentist/hygienist. My appointment with the dentist was cancelled in May and I broke two teeth/fillings that month, making a request in June for "non-urgent" treatment. I was seen in September, when I was told that they were not allowed to do any work involving a drill. Temporary dressings were put in place and I was told to expect an appointment in January next year for something more permanent and cleaning.

 

[KathC]

Other than retinopathy check everything seems to be on schedule. Due August but I had to make the appointment. Wasn't ready so only made appointment when they contacted me. Had bloods today and nurse made another appointment for Friday to finish checks.

We both think that retinopathy had been changed to 2 years rather than one. I'm a bit concerned about that as my last one was a year ago and previously they were 6 monthly but last time was better so back to annually. Will have Boots Opticians double check when I go for my normal eye check.

 

[Bloden]

Everything’s been over the phone this year - I’ve had a review with my surgery DN, my first appointment (I’ve moved) with my diabetes consultant, and an appointment with the hospital DN / dietician. Before two ops over the summer, the pre-op nurse did my A1c (she said it had to be lower than 69 or the operation couldn’t go ahead - anyone heard this before?).

However, not a peep out of the peeper peeps (ophthalmology 😎) as yet. I’ll give my own feet a tickle.

 

[grovesy]

Everything’s been over the phone this year - I’ve had a review with my surgery DN, my first appointment (I’ve moved) with my diabetes consultant, and an appointment with the hospital DN / dietician. Before two ops over the summer, the pre-op nurse did my A1c (she said it had to be lower than 69 or the operation couldn’t go ahead - anyone heard this before?).

However, not a peep out of the peeper peeps (ophthalmology 😎) as yet. I’ll give my own feet a tickle.

Yes !

 

[Bloden]

Yes !

Yes?🙂

 

[grovesy]

Yes?🙂

It is often asked by new posters who have had ops cancelled asking how to reduce.

 

[Bloden]

It is often asked by new posters who have had ops cancelled asking how to reduce.

Oh, so that IS what the nurse said. What with me being a bit deaf and masks muffling people’s speech, I thought I’d misheard. 🙂 Thanks @grovesy.

 

[SB2015]

Hi @Bloden
I had understood that this was the same for all operations.
With higher BG there is an increased chance of infection post op.

 

[trophywench]

Not only infection - also affects the body's ability to heal, full stop.

Both times in my life that I've been operated on I've surprised (impressed?) medics at how well I've healed - one was a few inches across the top of my pubes for my hysterectomy 5 days post op and the other was about 14 inches above to below knee, this one stapled and 8 days post op, nursie in outpatients said they usually remove every other one to begin with and then seeing how my skin was healing and burying them, whipped em all out using an identical staple remover to the one that's in our desk drawer at home. Owww! She had one ping off somewhere unknown in the room too, so no difference at all to home or office use of the things.