What is the Diabetes Specialist Nursing Service?
The Diabetes Team at Middlewood offers comprehensive support and management throughout your diabetes journey, starting from diagnosis. Our team includes diabetes-trained Health Care Assistants who perform routine checks, Specialist Diabetes Nurses, and a GP with a special interest in diabetes who provide clinical management and guidance. We tailor our services to meet your individual needs, working closely with you to develop a personalised management plan in collaboration with your Diabetes Nurse.
Who is this service for?
This service is designed to support all patients with diabetes, whether Type 1 or Type 2. Some patients may also receive shared care with diabetes consultants at specialised diabetes centres, particularly patients who are using insulin pumps, patients under 18 years of age, and those who are planning pregnancy or are currently pregnant.
How do I access this service?
You will be invited annually, in your birth month, for a 30-minute appointment that includes blood tests, urine analysis, blood pressure measurement, a foot check, and a weight assessment. During this appointment, we’ll also ensure that you’re up to date with any necessary immunisations. Following this, you’ll have an appointment with the diabetes nurse to discuss your blood results and create a personalised management plan.
Most patients will also receive a six-month interim review, which you’ll be invited to if agreed upon during your annual review. This review may even occur every three months if changes have been made to your medication.
For any additional concerns or queries outside of your scheduled appointments, you can contact the diabetes nurse via reception or through PATCHS. A message will be sent to the diabetes nurses, who will then get in touch with you to address your concerns, such as issues with blood sugar levels or medication.
Where is the service provided?
Our Diabetes service runs in all four of The Middlewood Partnership surgeries:
- Bollington Medical Centre
- Mcilvride Medical Practice
- Priorslegh Medical Centre
- The Schoolhouse Surgery
What can I expect to happen?
You can expect a thorough 30-minute annual review with a diabetes specialist nurse. This review will not only assess your diabetes control but also address the management of other health aspects linked to diabetes, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and chronic kidney disease, which can be associated with diabetes. Typically, any necessary follow-up consultations are conducted over the phone, unless you’ve arranged in advance for in-person appointments due to hearing difficulties or other impairments that make telephone consultations challenging for you.
How long can I expect to wait?
For any queries outside of your usual follow-up appointments, a diabetes nurse will aim to contact you within 48 working hours. However, there is a diabetes nurse available at Middlewood every day, and if your concern is urgent, they will endeavour to speak with you on the same day.
Who will I see for the appointment?
Your appointment may be with one of our diabetes healthcare assistants (HCAs): Sarah Watson, Tracy Crossley, or Ewelina Januszkiewicz. Alternatively, you may see one of our diabetes specialist nurses: Alison White, Sarah Dalton, or Sally Seviour.
How long is the appointment?
The annual review appointment is 30-minutes and conducted face-to-face. Follow-up telephone appointments for interim reviews typically last 20-minutes.
Diabetes Education & Resources
We encourage all our patients to stay informed and engaged with their diabetes care. Here are some valuable resources that you can access for more information and support, and feel free to look at our self help page:
- General Diabetes Information:
- Diet & Lifestyle:
- Foot Care:
- Medication & Treatment:
- Driving & Diabetes:
