World Diabetes takes place on 14th November each year to mark the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who co –discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
In Cumbria we have almost 34 thousand people living with Diabetes.
Annette Routledge, Specialist Diabetes Nurse said “Covid19 has been extremely challenging for people living with Diabetes. There is evidence from the first phase of Covid-19 showing that people with diabetes who were, older, who were obese and who had blood glucose above or below target are more at risk. The Diabetes service responded by aspiring to provide all patients receiving general practice or specialist care with information about effectively managing blood glucose during illness and an invitation to make contact to receive support in maintaining blood glucose in their individual target.”
North Cumbria Diabetes Specialist team consist of Consultants, Diabetes Specialist Nurses, Dietitians and Podiatrists as well as members of the Diabetes Eye Screening service. The team provide general practice education in caring for people with Diabetes by staging quarterly Rolling Programme of education now being delivered virtually as well as offering practice based support such as notes clinics
The service aim to offer all people living with Diabetes in Cumbria an opportunity to attend a structured education programme.
- 1 day Desmond course for people living with Type 2 Diabetes
- 3 day Innovation award winning Injectable Toolkit course for people with Type 2 Diabetes starting or established on injectable therapy
- 5 day Dafne course for people living with Type1 Diabetes.
- Structured training sessions for people with Type 1 Diabetes who benefit from starting new monitoring systems and or insulin pump.
Annette said “It is very important that people newly diagnosed as having Type 1 Diabetes receive the large package of education and support in an environment conducive to learning. Because of this we commence insulin in the diabetes centre or community, only people who are unwell at diagnosis are admitted to hospital.
“The Diabetes team strive to support all people admitted to hospital when diabetes is the primary reason for admission or if Diabetes is a complicating factor. We also work in partnership with our obstetric colleagues to support women in pregnancy who have existing or Gestational Diabetes.
The team cares for people with diabetes referred in by their practice team. 10-15% of all people living with Diabetes in North Cumbria will be receiving care from the specialist team after being referred to specialist team because of complex problems.
Working in partnership with people living with diabetes is absolutely essential as well as working with other care teams. Once a person’s complex problem has resolved or a plan of care is agreed the team support that person’s return to general practice care with an invitation to return to specialist care if further complex problems arise .
We are working differently and increasingly embrace technology in provision of care such as telehealth, virtual consulting, continuous monitoring pump therapy and data sharing.
They are launching a further campaign of information and support called Keeping Safe this Winter. Which will provide people with Diabetes realistic advice about how they can actively reduce their risk if they acquire Covid-19 or other common winter infections by improving Diabetes control, losing weight and being aware of the effects on Covid-19 on their mental health as well inviting people to seek support from their care team.
The service are also in the process of asking people living with Diabetes their views on the way the service is being delivered as it is extremely important that we continue to be innovative to effectively support people in view their increased risk if they acquire Covid19.
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