seeing a nurse at the drs surgery????

[imtrying]

hi all, once again I need to call upon all your expertise!

I have FINALLY been referred to a new diabetes clinic (I moved 5 months ago). In my letter from my dr it has asked me to make an appointment with them (but no contact details given), have a blood test (but no details about where to go to get it done!) and most weirdly for me, been asked to make a half hour appointment with the surgery's nurse for a 'diabetic appointment'!

The other stuff I'll just call and ask about but the last bit....maybe this is normal? But I've NEVER seen a nurse who's not a DSN in all my 18 years of being diabetic.....

I think I remember reading about people's experiences on here and just wanted your views...maybe it's just because it's new and I don't like it but I'm really tempted to refuse on the basis a nurse is not a specialist for diabetes and may just be a waste of time - isn't that why we have DSNs?

sorry, may seem weird to some, just weird to me and feels a bit unnerving!!

thanks 🙂

 

[Northerner]

I wonder if it's going to be like mine? My annual review was cancelled last month and I was told I'd have to go to my GP surgery, which I wasn't happy about - just like you. I wanted to be seen by someone who actually knew as much as me about diabetes, as a minimum!

However, it turns out that there is a consultant and DSN who are there on Tuesdays to run a diabetes clinic. I had my blood tests done at the surgery a few days before and was also asked for a urine sample prior to the appointment. When I turned up there was a trainee nurse and the practise diabetes nurse who took my BP and weighed me, and asked some questions for their records. Then I went in to see the diabetes consultant and the DSN. So, as it turned out it was much better than if I'd gone to the old place! 🙂

 

[bev]

Perhaps you could just go and see what sort of advice you are given. I would think you will be far more knowledgable than the nurse as she isnt a specialist. If you dont think this is for you then just tell the practice that you prefer to see a DSN.🙂Bev

 

[imtrying]

thanks guys 🙂

I was just wondering what I should expect and thought I could remember bad reviews on here about them!

I will go and see what they have to say for themselves! I could be pleasantly surprised.

also just seemed a bit weird when I've been told to make an appt at a diabetes centre - like you Northe, I'd probably understand a bit more if there were cut backs etc, but it seems at the moment that I'm getting both!

I'll report back when I've had my appointment! bad news is, I start a new job next week and this is really bad timing - I don't want to start and then say I need time off to see the nurse at my drs surgery and then more time off for a diabetes appt! typical isn't it?!

 

[sofaraway]

Your GP surgery will probably have to do your annual checks to make sure everything is done, bloods, eyes, feet etc. Then your diabetes centre appointment will be more specific to help you with your levels, insulin etc.

Some GP surgeries have DSN's who go in to run clinic as Alan has said, other get in experienced DSN's from the insulin companies to run their clinic. i wouldn't mind being seen by one of those.

If however it is a practice nurse that has taken on the diabetes clinic you might not get much from it, if they are any good they will know the limits of their competence and not try to give advice or make changes.