Which Clinic?

[JJay]

At my annual review with the GP diabetes nurse last week we discussed my (slightly surprising) HbA1c of 59 and half jokingly I said “well I suppose theoretically I qualify for a pump now!”. The totally unexpected response was “of course you can have a pump - it might take a while due to funding, but I can refer you today if you want”

So I said yes, still somewhat bemused as my TiR is around 80% according to Libre. However, I have been having problems with lows overnight, but also highs! and a graph that bears more resemblance to the Alps than the gently rolling hills I prefer. Added to that, managing D is a real pain now, as I’m still recovering from my hip fracture in June, the arthritis in my knee is getting worse, I’m back in AF after 4 years’ respite, on top of which I’ve now had to become the only driver in the household due to my OH’s diagnosis with Mild Cognitive Impairment. I do feel that a pump could relieve me of some of the diabetes burden, though I’m perfectly well aware that I will need to put work in. (I’m 73 but reasonably tech-savvy).

So today I’ve had an email from the NHS inviting me to choose a clinic. (I should make clear that I haven’t been under the care of a hospital clinic for the past 25 years - only GP, with occasional referrals to a Community Diabetes Team.)

I have two choices: Northampton General Hospital, where the protocol is for a clinician to review the referral and then decide whether to offer an appointment, which could be in 4 weeks’ time or St Cross, Rugby, where a face-to-face appointment is available, but a minimum of 139 days hence (1 April, as it happens!)

Basically I’d like others’ views and/or experiences of either clinic, and any advice for a potential new pumper.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.

 

[SB2015]

How exciting @JJay
I don’t know anything about the clinics you mention but you might want to find out which pumps each of them offers and check whether they include ones that you might want.
Do you know if you want a tubed pump or a patch pump. Are you hoping to loop? That can limit the choices (but in my mind well worth it)

 

[AndBreathe]

At my annual review with the GP diabetes nurse last week we discussed my (slightly surprising) HbA1c of 59 and half jokingly I said “well I suppose theoretically I qualify for a pump now!”. The totally unexpected response was “of course you can have a pump - it might take a while due to funding, but I can refer you today if you want”

So I said yes, still somewhat bemused as my TiR is around 80% according to Libre. However, I have been having problems with lows overnight, but also highs! and a graph that bears more resemblance to the Alps than the gently rolling hills I prefer. Added to that, managing D is a real pain now, as I’m still recovering from my hip fracture in June, the arthritis in my knee is getting worse, I’m back in AF after 4 years’ respite, on top of which I’ve now had to become the only driver in the household due to my OH’s diagnosis with Mild Cognitive Impairment. I do feel that a pump could relieve me of some of the diabetes burden, though I’m perfectly well aware that I will need to put work in. (I’m 73 but reasonably tech-savvy).

So today I’ve had an email from the NHS inviting me to choose a clinic. (I should make clear that I haven’t been under the care of a hospital clinic for the past 25 years - only GP, with occasional referrals to a Community Diabetes Team.)

I have two choices: Northampton General Hospital, where the protocol is for a clinician to review the referral and then decide whether to offer an appointment, which could be in 4 weeks’ time or St Cross, Rugby, where a face-to-face appointment is available, but a minimum of 139 days hence (1 April, as it happens!)

Basically I’d like others’ views and/or experiences of either clinic, and any advice for a potential new pumper.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.

I. have a feeling, @trophywench is looked after by St Cross.

Were you only offered two options? I had a referral recently, albeit a non-Endo, never mind pumping, but I had about 6options with varying wait times.

Were you offered anything in Leicestershire?

 

[trophywench]

Yep I do go to St Cross, who currently offer 6 choices. Two consultants there - Dr Sankar (tall man from Kerala, very knowledgable, very helpful) and Dr Gholap, also looks Indian but I don't actually know, told me he was first employed in cardiology but haven't been seen by him or Dr S for some years now, and I usually see one of the housemen, several of whom are ladies. All of those are normally pretty decent in terms of knowledge but some are more friendly than others, and more patient. The DSN and Clinic Manager is Kim, Lizzie the other DSN. Both good. Receptionist is Jenny usually, then first person everyone normally sees first is Debbie who does blood pressure weight and height and checks all your current medical history and makes sure all the 'existing medications' are recorded exactly on the computer system. Then she downloads any devices that need downloading so in my case, my pump, BG meter and my Libre reader. The clinic also has a dietician and psychologist but I simply don't know, they're not usually apparent when I go !

I have no idea what procedure they use when people are referred from elsewhere, sorry. One imagines they look at each referral on its own merits to decide who needs to see the patient. There is a small parking area with half a dozen blue badge spaces very close to Swift House where the permanent D clinic is, but the main St X carpark is smack on the other side of the main hospital buildings and when we were both fit, it took us 10 minutes to walk from there. Now neither of us can walk that far very easily, so we aim to get there well in advance of my appointment time. Steps or a ramp from rd level up to the first storey entrance door. Good handrails on both. Park bench near entrance, but comfy seating in the main waiting room, and nobody minds if you're well early - also a decent loo not far inside the main doors.

Haven't had an appointment cancelled for a couple of years now, either.

 

[AndBreathe]

Yep I do go to St Cross, who currently offer 6 choices. Two consultants there - Dr Sankar (tall man from Kerala, very knowledgable, very helpful) and Dr Gholap, also looks Indian but I don't actually know, told me he was first employed in cardiology but haven't been seen by him or Dr S for some years now, and I usually see one of the housemen, several of whom are ladies. All of those are normally pretty decent in terms of knowledge but some are more friendly than others, and more patient. The DSN and Clinic Manager is Kim, Lizzie the other DSN. Both good. Receptionist is Jenny usually, then first person everyone normally sees first is Debbie who does blood pressure weight and height and checks all your current medical history and makes sure all the 'existing medications' are recorded exactly on the computer system. Then she downloads any devices that need downloading so in my case, my pump, BG meter and my Libre reader. The clinic also has a dietician and psychologist but I simply don't know, they're not usually apparent when I go !

I have no idea what procedure they use when people are referred from elsewhere, sorry. One imagines they look at each referral on its own merits to decide who needs to see the patient. There is a small parking area with half a dozen blue badge spaces very close to Swift House where the permanent D clinic is, but the main St X carpark is smack on the other side of the main hospital buildings and when we were both fit, it took us 10 minutes to walk from there. Now neither of us can walk that far very easily, so we aim to get there well in advance of my appointment time. Steps or a ramp from rd level up to the first storey entrance door. Good handrails on both. Park bench near entrance, but comfy seating in the main waiting room, and nobody minds if you're well early - also a decent loo not far inside the main doors.

Haven't had an appointment cancelled for a couple of years now, either.

Thanks for responding TW. I'm glad my decrepit memory isn't totally useless.

 

[Leadinglights]

Yep I do go to St Cross, who currently offer 6 choices. Two consultants there - Dr Sankar (tall man from Kerala, very knowledgable, very helpful) and Dr Gholap, also looks Indian but I don't actually know, told me he was first employed in cardiology but haven't been seen by him or Dr S for some years now, and I usually see one of the housemen, several of whom are ladies. All of those are normally pretty decent in terms of knowledge but some are more friendly than others, and more patient. The DSN and Clinic Manager is Kim, Lizzie the other DSN. Both good. Receptionist is Jenny usually, then first person everyone normally sees first is Debbie who does blood pressure weight and height and checks all your current medical history and makes sure all the 'existing medications' are recorded exactly on the computer system. Then she downloads any devices that need downloading so in my case, my pump, BG meter and my Libre reader. The clinic also has a dietician and psychologist but I simply don't know, they're not usually apparent when I go !

I have no idea what procedure they use when people are referred from elsewhere, sorry. One imagines they look at each referral on its own merits to decide who needs to see the patient. There is a small parking area with half a dozen blue badge spaces very close to Swift House where the permanent D clinic is, but the main St X carpark is smack on the other side of the main hospital buildings and when we were both fit, it took us 10 minutes to walk from there. Now neither of us can walk that far very easily, so we aim to get there well in advance of my appointment time. Steps or a ramp from rd level up to the first storey entrance door. Good handrails on both. Park bench near entrance, but comfy seating in the main waiting room, and nobody minds if you're well early - also a decent loo not far inside the main doors.

Haven't had an appointment cancelled for a couple of years now, either.

You also need to remember to pay for the parking, other half went there for a Gastro appointment and completely forgot to pay and ended up with a £60 fine.

 

[JJay]

Yep I do go to St Cross, who currently offer 6 choices. Two consultants there - Dr Sankar (tall man from Kerala, very knowledgable, very helpful) and Dr Gholap, also looks Indian but I don't actually know, told me he was first employed in cardiology but haven't been seen by him or Dr S for some years now, and I usually see one of the housemen, several of whom are ladies. All of those are normally pretty decent in terms of knowledge but some are more friendly than others, and more patient. The DSN and Clinic Manager is Kim, Lizzie the other DSN. Both good. Receptionist is Jenny usually, then first person everyone normally sees first is Debbie who does blood pressure weight and height and checks all your current medical history and makes sure all the 'existing medications' are recorded exactly on the computer system. Then she downloads any devices that need downloading so in my case, my pump, BG meter and my Libre reader. The clinic also has a dietician and psychologist but I simply don't know, they're not usually apparent when I go !

I have no idea what procedure they use when people are referred from elsewhere, sorry. One imagines they look at each referral on its own merits to decide who needs to see the patient. There is a small parking area with half a dozen blue badge spaces very close to Swift House where the permanent D clinic is, but the main St X carpark is smack on the other side of the main hospital buildings and when we were both fit, it took us 10 minutes to walk from there. Now neither of us can walk that far very easily, so we aim to get there well in advance of my appointment time. Steps or a ramp from rd level up to the first storey entrance door. Good handrails on both. Park bench near entrance, but comfy seating in the main waiting room, and nobody minds if you're well early - also a decent loo not far inside the main doors.

Haven't had an appointment cancelled for a couple of years now, either.

Thank you so much, Jenny, that's really helpful.

 

[JJay]

I. have a feeling, @trophywench is looked after by St Cross.

Were you only offered two options? I had a referral recently, albeit a non-Endo, never mind pumping, but I had about 6options with varying wait times.

Were you offered anything in Leicestershire?

No, just the two. I'm actually in Northants though St Cross is physically closer.

 

[JJay]

How exciting @JJay
I don’t know anything about the clinics you mention but you might want to find out which pumps each of them offers and check whether they include ones that you might want.
Do you know if you want a tubed pump or a patch pump. Are you hoping to loop? That can limit the choices (but in my mind well worth it)

Thank you for this. I'm trying not to raise my hopes too much at this stage. I know I have a lot of research to do, but I rather think I will have a long time in which to do it!

HCL appeals and so does Omnipod 5. But I'm keeping an open mind.

 

[trophywench]

Ah - yes you do have to pay to park if you don't have a Blue Badge - which is why I forgot about it. However - if you do have a badge, you have to register it with the Security Office at whichever hosp you usually attend - from which about 200 different hospitals all over the country are automatically included. And the instant that blue badge expires you need to register the new number, cos we got a parking fine from not realising that - but meanwhile my husband discovered there's a website you can do this on. I simply thought ooh, with hip and knee trouble @JJay might well have a blue badge.

 

[JJay]

Ah - yes you do have to pay to park if you don't have a Blue Badge - which is why I forgot about it. However - if you do have a badge, you have to register it with the Security Office at whichever hosp you usually attend - from which about 200 different hospitals all over the country are automatically included. And the instant that blue badge expires you need to register the new number, cos we got a parking fine from not realising that - but meanwhile my husband discovered there's a website you can do this on. I simply thought ooh, with hip and knee trouble @JJay might well have a blue badge.

Thanks for that. I don’t have a BB but it’s on my (very) long list of things to do!

 

[goodybags]

Hi @JJay I’m here in Northants also,
(although I’m not T1) but a very good friend of mines wife who has been T1 for over 60 years now has a omnipod
I know he said she had to fight to get it funded, I’m sure she’s under NGH (they live here in Northampton across the other side of town to me) if you wanted I can ask her of her thoughts

I’m currently under NGH Diabetic Consultant, although if my next Hba1c is as good as my last,
the consultant I saw @NGH said he will refer me back to my GP (plus still have the support of the community DSN who from what I’ve recently experienced I found quite good)
possibly we have the same DSN

 

[JJay]

Hi @JJay I’m here in Northants also,
(although I’m not T1) but a very good friend of mines wife who has been T1 for over 60 years now has a omnipod
I know he said she had to fight to get it funded, I’m sure she’s under NGH (they live here in Northampton across the other side of town to me) if you wanted I can ask her of her thoughts

I’m currently under NGH Diabetic Consultant, although if my next Hba1c is as good as my last,
the consultant I saw @NGH said he will refer me back to my GP (plus still have the support of the community DSN who from what I’ve recently experienced I found quite good)
possibly we have the same DSN

Thank you for that @goodybags . To be honest I have no great love for NGH - my husband, and lately I, have had to visit far too often over the 8 years we’ve been in Northants, and we find it a chaotic sort of place - clinical and nursing staff are wonderful, but admin is terrible. And parking is a nightmare!

I was concerned that I could find little information online about the Diabetes Centre beyond contact details, nor any reviews or opinions, also by the thought that my referral could apparently be dismissed without an appointment being made.

I have now opted for St Cross and have an appointment booked for 31 March 2025!

 

[goodybags]

Thank you for that @goodybags . To be honest I have no great love for NGH - my husband, and lately I, have had to visit far too often over the 8 years we’ve been in Northants, and we find it a chaotic sort of place - clinical and nursing staff are wonderful, but admin is terrible. And parking is a nightmare!

I was concerned that I could find little information online about the Diabetes Centre beyond contact details, nor any reviews or opinions, also by the thought that my referral could apparently be dismissed without an appointment being made.

I have now opted for St Cross and have an appointment booked for 31 March 2025!

Totally agree about the parking at NGH, and although the staff are fantastic, I might be bias as I’m only a 10 min bus ride from there so don’t usually drive and park ( I’m a regular visitor there between a few departments)
I was previously under NGH awaiting orthopaedic surgery before the surgeon actually resigned,I then was re-referred and joined awaiting list over @KGH and had ankle surgery in May last year
glad to hear your booked in at your chosen location
TC