The diabetes clinic is conducted by a diabetes team which comprises doctors, diabetes specialist nurses, dieticians and podiatrists. Ideally you should be able to access all members of the team through this clinic.
At the clinic you will have regular reviews where you are monitored for good control of diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol. You will also be screened for the complications of diabetes. You will have access to education and written information if necessary. This is the opportunity to voice your queries with regard to various aspects of your diabetes care.
Many of the following will happen during your visit to the West Suffolk Hospital diabetes clinic. The use of a computerised database and structured patient records allows us to track the progress of your diabetes and for timely intervention in the event of developing complications.
You will initially see a nurse or phlebotomist who will obtain a fingerprick blood sample. You will see a doctor thereafter. If necessary you will be asked to see other members of the diabetes team such as the diabetes nurse, dietician or podiatrist.
Every effort is made at our clinics to see patients on time. Unfortunately it is not always possible to predict the required length of time as some people's consultations take longer than expected.
If your doctor considers you should attend the diabetes clinic he or she will make a referral on your behalf. Please refer to the NEWS pages for an estimate of waiting times for the various clinics. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information (see below).
Non-attendance at clinics is a major problem and drain on resources as the time allocated could have been utilised by another patient.
Please make every effort to inform us if you are not able to attend as this helps us manage our clinics and waiting times.
Diabetes Nurse Specialists: 01284 713311
Secretaries: 01284 712639
Dr Nishan Wijenaike, Consultant Physician
West Suffolk Hospitals Diabetes Service
October 2002