Article from Diabetes UK about failing NHS

[nicky_too]

In the newsletter of Diabetes UK there was a link to this article.

Eventhough I've seen quite a few complaints on this forum already I'm actually a little shocked by the numbers. Maybe it's me being naive because my care seems to be just fine right now (lucky me, eh?).

Would there be anything we, the diabetics, can do to raise awareness with the caregivers?

I mean, last year I left my GP because she didn't help me with my diabetes at all and I even filed an official complaint with good result. Now, this was in the Netherlands, but I suspect things can't be much different here.

Is there maybe any power in petitions?

Just thinking out loud here...

 

[Einstein]

Personally the level of care I receive is quite reasonable, however, while living in a rural location I can't help but think it would be worth twice a year spending a day attending a clinic for blood tests, having eyes and feet examined, seeing a dietician and a general MOT before seeing the diabetologist (those of us under one) or a DSN for a summary of all tests and recommendations/tellings off.

My estimate is that I spend nearly two working weeks each year attending or travelling to individual appointments for routine examinations. Worth it I know from a health perspective and keeping everything in check, but what a cost to each of us.

A local practice did try to organise their own clinic, nurses, dieticians, podiatrists etc all turned up, the diabetologist didn’t like being ‘forced’ to spend one day in one location and seemingly did all he could to make the scheme fail – shocking.

On a personal note, I am unsure if I’ve ever really had the ‘full’ annual MOT/checkup as stated on the Diabetes UK website, ok, through various conditions I do have most of the checkups, however, in one session each year I don’t. The practice diabetic nurse usually checks my paws, blood pressure (I think), asks me about my weight (hmmm!) and if I am ok, one thing I know that has never been checked are my injection sites – by anyone…


Diabetic care is very patchy and it does depend on individuals as much as the local focus from the PCT. My GP is fantastic, but I have to insist on seeing just her to get consistent care. My diabetologist is also a star, ok she scares me! But, she’s done a great job with me and I understand she is starting to retire, so all that experience, bond etc will need to be rebuilt with someone new – I’m not complaining about her retiring, can’t she just wait until I’ve gone first.

The findings in this article do contradict the published statements of care from each of the PCTs – worth checking your experience against the official figures http://www.diabetes.org.uk/InfoBankUK/

David

 

[Caroline]

I'd love a higher level of care with my diabetes. Sometimes i think all my GP wants me for is the money he gets paid for looking after me.

 

[HelenM]

I am shocked by the care often reported on UK forums. It seems that it is often particularly bad for type 2s from some GPs.
As a comparison ,I am in France. I have type 1 (LADA) and was diagnosed here. At the beginning I saw all sorts of specialists and had a full MOT, just to make sure there was nothing else going on. I received 'therapeutic education'. I see a specialist about every 3 months, and she does all the regular checks, these aren't delegated to a nurse. I have HbA1cs every 3 months, lipids every 6 and a full set of blood tests every year. I have retinal scans yearly and because of my age (56) have exercise stress tests and arterial scans every 2 years. Again because of my age,at my last visit she arranged for me to go for a bone density scan.
I have a friend who is a type 2. He sees the same specialist every 6 months (and also has stress tests and artery scans but more often as he is older) He sees his GP in between times. He has been offered therapeutic education (though didn't go)
I don't know how common this excellent treatment is, my local hospital does have a specialism in diabetes and comes out well on league tables. I do know, since the consultant is very proud of it, that none of their patients have had to have an amputation for almost 10 years.

 

[aymes]

I do think I am very lucky with the care I receive given some of the stuff I read, don't have any complaints really.
I have an annual review each year which includes a multitude of blood/urine tests, height and weight check, blood pressure, foot check, retinal photos, injection sites check and then time with the consultant with all the results then.
I also then have a 6 month review in between which is pretty much all the above except no retinal scan and fewer blood tests.
Outside of this, if my a1c has been of concern I will have nurses/dietician appointments as necessary, they will usually return a phone call within a day (and a beeper number to speak to someone straight away if it's urgent eg ketones) plus most mornings there is a DSN on 'drop in' duty who you can see without an appointment.
Of course there are some frustrations, for example appts can be every 8 rather than 6 months and I would love a pump but can't get one, but all in all I'm pretty happy with my care.

 

[sugarfreerach]

my gp was awful, kept telling me i was doing it wrong and then saying see you in 6 months! he then as a last resort referred me to the consultant at the hospital and he was amazing! absolutely brilliant and all my nurses at the hospital are fantastic, i even have their mobile numbers and email addresses and can call them anytime i like. i now refuse to see that certain gp.

 

[Einstein]

I think the expertise on the front line e.g. GPs is generally pretty poor, like sugarfreerach my initial care was from a very well meaning, but inexperienced GP. As soon as saw a consultant, life changed for the better.

My current GP is great, there when needed, will always admit if its outside of her scope and refer on without hesitation and more importantly with haste.