Diabetic review

[Type1Ally]

Hi, I was diagnosed with type 1 in July last year. So far I‘ve had great support from the diabetes team at the hospital but I’m finding it so hard with the GP. I was due a review in November, sent them an email and they said I have to call to book an apt but the line doesn’t even ring anymore, you just can’t get through. Any one else finding this with their GP? I’m trying to sort my life insurance out and they need my HbA1c otherwise I wouldn’t really care as I have a libre and can see that I’m managing it ok. Maybe I should contact the diabetes team?

 

[helli]

Typically, Type 1 patients are not managed by their GP. GP surgeries are used to working with people with type 2 so their Diabetes Specialist Nurses are not able to offer much assistance.
I have all of my diabetes reviews with the dedicated Diabetes Team at my local hospital.
As you need a HbA1C test for your life insurance, it could be worthwhile contacting your team and asking for their assistance.

 

[Proud to be erratic]

Hi, I was diagnosed with type 1 in July last year. So far I‘ve had great support from the diabetes team at the hospital but I’m finding it so hard with the GP. I was due a review in November, sent them an email and they said I have to call to book an apt but the line doesn’t even ring anymore, you just can’t get through. Any one else finding this with their GP? I’m trying to sort my life insurance out and they need my HbA1c otherwise I wouldn’t really care as I have a libre and can see that I’m managing it ok. Maybe I should contact the diabetes team?

Hi, sadly this is more common than it should be since Covid. Try sending them a 2nd email (they responded to the first) and tell them their phones don't get answered and meanwhile you urgently need an HbA1c. If that doesn't work email your Clinical Commissioning Group and politely ask is this normal, with a cc to your GP Practice. If necessary elevate it to your MP, cc the CCG and GP.

Yes, you of course have the opportunity to ask your Hospital Diabetes Centre for help. There are sometimes squabbles over whose budget should pay and so who should initiate the paperwork; if the Hospital raises the paperwork they get worried about setting a precedent. But they can electronically ask the GP to do the request; then you just need someone to confirm it's been done (which my GP practice NEVER does and I have to phone before I make a wasted journey) (Catch 22 for you).

You need the initial paperwork raising, either as hard copy or nowadays usually electronically, then you can go to any hospital blood test centre, within your local Trust. Most of these are doing online booking, presented in such a way that you feel obligated to find a date and time at their convenience; but you can usually also drop in and since the shift to online booking there are no queues! I did a drop in yesterday and there was a muddle in my paperwork which took 45 mins to sort; while waiting, not one other person came to give blood. I courteously remarked how quiet it was and was told that since online booking busy periods were far and few between. This was my 3rd drop in since early Dec, each very quiet.

 

[Type1Ally]

Thank you both for your replies, I spoke to the hospital team and they advised that the GP would carry out the blood test so I just need to keep trying to get through! It’s shame they can’t just send me the paperwork to go to a blood test centre, I’ll raise that on the phone when I get to speak to somebody

 

[Leadinglights]

Yes, my OH required his medical records and scan results as he was considering a private op, he put in the request and 3 months on they have arrived. As it happens he managed to get the op on the NHS.

 

[Proud to be erratic]

Thank you both for your replies, I spoke to the hospital team and they advised that the GP would carry out the blood test so I just need to keep trying to get through! It’s shame they can’t just send me the paperwork to go to a blood test centre, I’ll raise that on the phone when I get to speak to somebody

I feel for you, I've had my share of (unnecessary) frustrations these last 18 months. I'd still try another email. I'd also go back to your hosp and ask them to nudge your GP - just get them to say your HbA1c is overdue, it might be enough.

Our Surgery has a Patients Group made from patients within the Practice on a voluntary basis and is the "surgery title Patients Group". I think the NHS has possibly recommended or even instructed GP Surgeries to have such a system; but it could be our CCG rather than the NHS. Try looking on the surgery website and see if yours has such a body. I've had a gentle dialogue with the Chairman; I started with an email asking if the Practice was in trouble just recently ... which caught his curiosity and he replied saying no, why was I asking ... that opened the door allowing me to air my concerns ... It proved to be useful. In our Practice I think the Admin and Reception staff have lost sight of their remit, in their determination to protect their overworked GPs.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Thank you both for your replies, I spoke to the hospital team and they advised that the GP would carry out the blood test so I just need to keep trying to get through! It’s shame they can’t just send me the paperwork to go to a blood test centre, I’ll raise that on the phone when I get to speak to somebody

Send them an email 🙂