Newbie Recent Diagnosis

[Splodge67]

Hi All
I have recently been diagnosed after pulling back from Prediabetes 18 months ago. I also had a heart attack in 2019 but no previous Diabetes faminly history. My GP & specialist nurse were concerned about numbness in my feet & referred me to the podiatrist immediately. The Gp said he would see me again before the end of the year & conduct several tests I have since been informed by my local hospital that I am now on a waiting list, with no sign of being treated. I cannot get an eye appointment or place on the diabetes Course until Mid January. I am already diagnosed with Glaucoma & my eyesight is significantly worsening. I was diagnosed just before the Govt advised GP's to prioritise the Covid Booster Programme ( I have already had mine ). I am now concerned that my next planned appointment with the specialist nurse in February will be delayed. I have not heard fron the GP neither. What pressure is Diabetes UK putting on the Govt to reverse its decision . I understand that the BMa also support the GP's new Priorities.

 

[Josh DUK]

Hi All
I have recently been diagnosed after pulling back from Prediabetes 18 months ago. I also had a heart attack in 2019 but no previous Diabetes faminly history. My GP & specialist nurse were concerned about numbness in my feet & referred me to the podiatrist immediately. The Gp said he would see me again before the end of the year & conduct several tests I have since been informed by my local hospital that I am now on a waiting list, with no sign of being treated. I cannot get an eye appointment or place on the diabetes Course until Mid January. I am already diagnosed with Glaucoma & my eyesight is significantly worsening. I was diagnosed just before the Govt advised GP's to prioritise the Covid Booster Programme ( I have already had mine ). I am now concerned that my next planned appointment with the specialist nurse in February will be delayed. I have not heard fron the GP neither. What pressure is Diabetes UK putting on the Govt to reverse its decision . I understand that the BMa also support the GP's new Priorities.

Hello @Splodge67,
I am so sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you especially after the government announced they were prioritising the covid booster. We have released a statement regarding the Guardian article below:

DUK comment:

Bridget Turner, Director of Policy Campaigns and Improvement at Diabetes UK, said:

“The announcement to reduce access to essential health checks for the next 4 months is unacceptable. People with diabetes have consistently been pushed to the back of the queue during this pandemic – and often those living in the most deprived areas. This will only aggravate the rapidly-growing crisis for diabetes care and widen inequalities further, which we have been warning of repeatedly over the course of this year.

"Diabetes is an incredibly serious condition and can lead to devastating complications, which include heart attacks, stroke, foot disease and sight loss. Routine checks and appointments are vital to help prevent the onset of these complications especially during the winter months when the risk increases dramatically.

"We know that healthcare professionals are working incredibly hard, and we are extremely grateful to them. But they are working with limited resources and missed appointments can and will devastate lives. People with diabetes cannot be left behind again; it’s paramount that local health leaders ensure those most in need are able to access care, now and in the future.

"If you are unwell or concerned about your diabetes, please continue to contact your GP or visit diabetes.org.uk for more information."

Josh DUK

 

[Splodge67]

Thank you for your Quick Response. Your statement & response to the Guardian Article is so reassuring. Thankyou. Do Diabetes UK have local Groups?

 

[Josh DUK]

Thank you for your Quick Response. Your statement & response to the Guardian Article is so reassuring. Thankyou. Do Diabetes UK have local Groups?

Hello @Splodge67,

You can find your local groups here:

Local support groups

If you or a family member has diabetes, it's often helpful to meet other people who are going through the same thing at our diabetes support groups.

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Splodge67

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, especially at a time where routine care has been so negatively affected by the pressures on the healthcare system.

If you’d like to build your own understanding of diabetes in the meantime, and discover some strategies that can help you manage your blood glucose levels you will find lots of information and modules to work through in the Learning Zone.

For a more ‘grass roots’ introduction from a person in a similar situation to yourself, forum members often recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter to the Newly Diagnosed and Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year.

Good luck, and keep asking questions on the forum too. We have lots of friendly, helpful members and no questions will be thought of as too obvious or ‘silly’. 🙂