Bexley Diabetes

Information Booklet
for People with Newly
Diagnosed Type 2
Diabetes
2011-2012

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Contents

page

Introduction
/ your diabetes team
3
_______________________________________________
Details
about your diagnosis and your diabetes team
4
_______________________________________________
What
happens following your diagnosis?
5
____________________________________________________________
How
can you learn more?
8
___________________________________________________________
The
annual review, what is involved?
10
____________________________________________________________
Your
care plan
11
______________________________________________________________
Always
be in control of your diabetes
12
______________________________________________________________
Retinal
Screening for people with diabetes
14
___________________________________________________________________________
Looking
after you feet
18
__________________________________________________________________________
Monitoring
your diabetes
19
_______________________________________________
Entitlements
/ Insurance
21
_______________________________________________
Reference
list: other opportunities to access information
22
_______________________________________________
Diabetes UK / Local Diabetes UK Support Group

23

We would like to acknowledge Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi-aventis for their
generosity in helping towards the printing costs of this booklet.

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Introduction
You, or a member of your family have recently been diagnosed
with Type 2 Diabetes. This information pack has been designed
to guide you through your first six-months following diagnosis
and offers you an insight into how your diabetes can be successfully
managed, what care to expect and the resources available. This
pack includes:
Information booklet for people with newly diagnosed type
2 diabetes.
If you require this booklet in large print, please contact the
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 3289712.

Diabetes UK booklets and information:

Understanding diabetes: Your essential guide

Eating well with Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes Care and You - What diabetes care you can expect

Local services: information sheet 2011-12

X-PERT education programme

Information leaflet and self referral form

Diabetes UK Bexley support group flyer

Space for your diabetes review summaries

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Your diagnosis
Your GP or nurse has informed you that you have diabetes, which
has been confirmed by a blood test. Either your fasting blood
glucose (before breakfast) was above 6.9mmol/l, or a random
blood glucose (after food) was above 11mmol/l.
HbA1c
Fasting blood glucose
Random blood glucose
Date of diagnosis
Diagnosis: Type 1 or 2

Your diabetes team

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

What happens following

your diagnosis?
The booklet entitled Diabetes care and you what care to
expect outlines the responsibilities of the diabetes team
following your diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes and ongoing. You
are considered as part of the team, working in partnership with
healthcare professionals as you manage your diabetes.

Diagnosis
You may have many questions following your diagnosis. A series
of appointments will be available to you with a member of your
practice diabetes team. Please use this opportunity to learn
about:

How to successfully manage you diabetes

Services available for you to access

Other investigations, looking for risk factors associated

with diabetes.

Assessment and Goal setting

Following diagnosis is a great time to reflect on your current
lifestyle and health and consider making achievable changes. Its
worth asking the following questions:

How do I feel about being told I have diabetes?

Whats good and whats not so good about my life and my

health?

What influences how you live your life?

How healthy are you at the moment?

What realistic changes can I make to help me manage my life

and my health better?

What support will I need to achieve changes long term?

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Appropriate referral
Your diabetes team will act as a resource, explaining about local
services that have been designed to help people with diabetes.
You will need to decide which meet your own needs.
A variety of services are available throughout the area.
Examples of services:
At your own practice:

Your personal care plan

Weight loss programme

Stop smoking advice

Blood pressure checks

Specialist diabetes services:

X-PERT education programme (see page 8-9)

Individual appontment with a dietician

Referral to the local diabetes eye screening service

A subsidised nail cutting service for people over the aged of 50

Podiatry for people which recognised foot problems

Referral to the Consultant Diabetologist

Referral to Diabetes Specialist Nurses

Healthy Living services:

Information about local services can be found on the
Bexley Council website: healthyliving@bexley.nhs.uk
Please refer to the information sheet for up-to date news about
local services, included in this pack.

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Education
To allow you to make informed decisions about how you
manage your diabetes, education is vital. Please refer to pages
8-9 & 22-23.

Maintenance (ongoing support)

Please refer to the booklet Diabetes Care and You - What diabetes care to expect. It clearly identifies the care you are entitled to at diagnosis and ongoing. You should have:

Follow up determined by individual needs

Blood test at least 6 monthly to assess your diabetes control

A formal annual review of all your tests, investigations and

examinations (see page 9 for more information)

Further education when you are ready

Care plan review

Contact details for your diabetes team for support and ad

vice by phone between visits

Blood pressure check at least 6 monthly if you are taking

blood pressure tablets

Your diabetes team follow local diabetes guidelines that are

reviewed regularly and based on research findings and national
guidelines.

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

How can you learn more?

People living with diabetes have a crucial role in managing their
condition on a day-to-day basis. Supporting self-care is at the
centre of our local diabetes model. Education is a vital part of
this support package and Bexley Care Trust has invested in the
award winning X-PERT Education Programme.

Diabetes?

The X-PERT Programme runs over 5 weeks and consists of five,

2.5 hour sessions. The programme is specifically designed for
people with Type 2 diabetes following diagnosis or at any time in
the future, if education is identified within care plans.

We can help

Courses run during the day and in the evening and are held at
suitable venues with disabled access and ample parking.

The new X-PERT Taster

This is now available for people
not wanting to commit to the full
programme. X-PERT taster involves
one 2.5 hour session highlighting
the subjects normally covered in the
first week:
What is diabetes?
The Diabetes Health Profile
The Lifestyle Experiment
You will also be given the programmes handbook which includes
the full X-PERT programme.
For more information please talk to your diabetes team or access
The local diabetes website: www.diabetesbexley.org.uk
Referral is normally made by your Diabetes team or you can refer
yourself using the leaflet enclosed in this pack.

stamp
required
Dr No
Trudi
Deakin
2003


Diabetes
Information
Pack 2010-2011
Information Booklet for PeopleType
with 2Newly
Diagnosed
Type 2 Diabetes
2011-2012

education available
available
Other education
diabetes team
team
Your diabetes
The
Theteam
team are
are aa good
good resource for:
s Information
Information about
about diabetes
diabetes
s Local
Local services
services and
andreferral
referralpathways
pathways
s All appointments should be seen as an
Diabetes UK Bexley Support Group
educational opportunity.
Contact details on page 23.
Diabetes UK Bexley Support Group
Reference
list on page 21.
Contact details
For a list of other education options, refer to page 22.
Reference list
For
a list of diabetes
other education
Specialist
team options, refer to page 20.
A
multi-disciplinary
Specialist
diabetesteam
teamproviding
education to practice teams and
A multi-disciplinary team providing
services to people with diabetes.
education to practice teams and
services to www.diabetesbexley.org.uk
people with diabetes.
Website:
Access thewww.bexley.nhs.uk
local website for a wealth of
Website:
information
andare
links
to useful
sites.
Diabetes
pages
under
construction.

9


Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

The annual review - what is involved?

Your annual review is an opportunity to:
Assess your diabetes control and discuss treatment options
Assess your general wellbeing and risk factors associated
with diabetes
Discuss any worries and concerns you have
Type 2 Diabetes Information Pack 2010-2011
Discuss your health priorities
Learn more about diabetes and healthy living
Blood
Ensureglucose
all screening
beenmonitoring)
completed:
s
controlprocedures
(blood testhave
+/- home
Blood glucose control (blood test +/- home monitoring)
s Kidney
Kidney function
function(urine
(urinetest
testand
andblood
bloodtest)
test)
Blood
fats
(fasting
blood
test)

s Blood fats (fasting blood test)
Weight
s Weight
Legs and feet (foot assessment)
Bloodand
Pressure
s Legs
feet (foot assessment)
Eyes (see page 14-17)
s Blood Pressure
To discuss the results of these tests
s Eyes
(see page
14-17) goals to work towards and the support
and identify
individual
needed
to
achieve
a care
plan
s To discuss the resultsthis
of within
these tests
and
identify individual goals
to work towards and the support needed to achieve
When
will the annual review take place?
this within a care plan

Depending on your practice, this will vary. Some practice organise

the annual reviews to take place during the month of your birth,
so every year you know when its due.

When will the annual review

take
Whatplace?
will be expected of me?

Your
Practice
will contact
you bytwo
letter
or phone approximately
1
You will
be expected
to attend
appointments
at your Practice,
month
before
the
review.
You
will
need
to
have
a
blood
test
2-3
approximately one month apart, plus a separate eye screening
weeks
beforehand.
will be
asked
to fast from 10pm
thewill
night
appointment
at oneYou
of four
local
opticians.Some
practices
ask
before
(nothing
to
eat
or
drink,
except
water),
to
ensure
your
you to have your blood tests collected separately
blood fat test is accurate.

The first appointment

This will include the screening procedures listed above.

What
do I need to take with me?

What do I need to take with me?

s Early morning sample of urine
An early morning sample of urine
s Easily removable shoes / socks / hosiery
Easily removable shoes / socks / hosiery
s
questionslist
you
Any
An accurate
of have
medication that you are actually taking
s Any
thoughts
about
(this may differ fromyour
yourhealth
repeatpriorities
prescription)
s An accurate list of the medication
you actually take
10

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Once all results have been collected, they will be sent to you in
advance of your next appointment, giving you the opportunity to
consider possible changes to improve your health.

The second appointment

will be with a qualified member of the practice diabetes team, to
discuss your results and things that matter to you. Then you can
make decisions together about what to do next. Your care plan is
a record of how you plan to manage your diabetes.
What do I need to take with me?
Your results letter, with any questions or potential goals you
would like to work towards
Your monitoring diary and blood glucose meter (if you
monitor your blood glucose)
An accurate list of medication
For people on insulin, we advise you to bring your injection
devices in case updates are available.
You will be given a copy of your care plan following this appointment

Ongoing support
This will depend on your individual care plan. Please refer to the
booklet Diabetes care and you what diabetes care to expect.
It clearly identifies the ongoing care you are entitled to as well as
your responsibilities. Consider the following:

Follow up according to your agreed care plan

Blood test at least 6 monthly to assess your diabetes control
Formal annual review of all your tests, investigations and
examinations (See page 10)
Further education when you are ready
Care plan review
Contact information allowing you to access your diabetes
team for support and advice by phone between visits
Blood pressure check at least 6 monthly if you are taking
blood pressure tablets

Your diabetes team follow local diabetes guidelines that are reviewed
regularly and based on research findings and national guidelines.
11

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012
Type 2 Diabetes Information Pack 2010-2011

Always be in control of your diabetes

Always Be in Control of your Diabetes
Aim to eat healthily
Aim to eat healthily

For more information please refer to the Diabetes UK leaflet

For moreWell
information
please
refer to the
Diabetes
leaflet UK
Eating
with Type
2 Diabetes
or access
theUK
Diabetes
Eating Well
Typeyou
2 Diabetes
or access thethen
Diabetes
website,
clickwith
on Are
newly diagnosed?,
followUK
the
website,
click
on
Are
you
newly
diagnosed?,
then
follow
the
link to Our guide to shopping and menu planning.
link to Our guide to shopping and menu planning.

1. Watch those portion sizes

1. Watch those portion sizes

2. Eat more fruit and vegetables

2. Eat more fruit and vegetables

3. Try to eat regular meals, with some starchy

3. carbohydrate
Try to eat regular
with
some starchy
foodsmeals,
at each
meal

carbohydrate foods at each meal

4. Try to have less saturated fat

4. Try to have less saturated fat

5. Use monounsaturated oil

5. Use monounsaturated oil

6. Aim for 2-3 portions of oily fish per week

6. Aim for 2-3 portions of oily fish per week

7. Consider the overall amount of carbohydrate

7. Consider the glycaemic Index of food. Limit
you eat. All carbohydrate foods and drinks
sugar and sugary foods
turn to glucose in the blood

8. Have more whole grains, lentils, pulses,

8. Have
moreseeds
whole grains, lentils, pulses,
nuts and
nuts and seeds

9. Drink alcohol in moderation

9. Drink alcohol in moderation

10. Experiment with herbs to replace salt

10. Experiment with herbs to replace salt

11. Dont be tempted by diabetic foods / drinks

11. Dont be tempted by diabetic foods / drinks

12
12

Type 2 Diabetes Information Pack 2010-2011

Be
active
Information
Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012
s Consider activities youType
enjoy
2 Diabetes Information Pack 2010-2011

Be
activeshould make you warm and slightly out of breath
s Exercise
s
Consider
you suitable
enjoy for you
BeBuild
active
up toactivities
a level that

s Consider
Exercise should
make
warm and slightly out of breath
activities
you you
enjoy
30
minutes
of
physical
activity, 5 days a week,
s Exercise
Build upshould
to a level
suitable
for you
make
you warm
and slightly out of breath

is the national recommendation

30 minutes of physical activity, 5 days a week, is the

s
Build
up to a level that suitable for you
Cut
out smoking
national
recommendation
Smoking
is
especially
bad for activity, 5 days a week,
30
minutes
of physical
Cut
peopleout
with smoking
diabetes. If you
is
the national
recommendation
Smoking
is are
especially
bad for
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more likely
to
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smoking
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die
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Smoking
especiallywill
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your
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prematurely
of
a
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people with diabetes. If yourelated
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and
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even
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stop
smoking.
smoke
you arethey
more
likely
to
when
you
are
ill
is
part
of
selfdie
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your diabetes.
you decide to stop or reduce any
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your
medication
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tablets
and inform
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evenGP
when
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ill is part of
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please
your
or diabetes
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evenIf you decide to stop or reduce any
self-managing
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medication
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whenscreening
you are
ill is part
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is
the
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blindness
in the
Eye any
managing your diabetes. If you
to stop
orUK.
reduce
Eye
screening
screening
once
a
year
will
help
prevent
blindness.
If
you
miss your
medication please inform your GP or diabetes team.
Diabetes is theplease
leading
causeyou
of book
blindness
in the
working
appointment,
ensure
another.
Refer
to pages 14
Eye
screening
population
the UK. Eye screening once a year will help prevent
-17
for
moreininformation.
Diabetes
leading
cause
of blindness please
in the UK.
Eye you book
blindness.is Ifthe
you
miss your
appointment,
ensure
Feet
needonce
attention
screening
a
year
will
help
prevent
blindness.
If
you
another. Refer to pages 14 -17 for more information. miss your
Please
refer to please
page 18.
appointment,
ensure you book another. Refer to pages 14
Feet
need
attention
-17
for
more
information.
Go to all of your diabetes
Please
refer to page 18.
appointments
Feet need attention
It
is much
easier
to
control
Go
to
all
your
Please
refer
toof
page
18. your
diabetes if you know how you
Diabetes
appointments
Go
to all of
your
diabetes
are doing.
Knowing
your results
It
is
much
easier
to
control
your
appointments
and having reachable
targets
will
diabetes
if
you
know
how
you
It
is
much
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to
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your
allow you to manage your
are
doing.
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diabetes
if
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and
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diabetes
and
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and
13
diabetes
and
not
allow
diabetes
allow you to manage your
to manage
diabetes
andyou.
not allow diabetes
to manage you.

BEX015 DIABETES ESTABLISHED BOOKLET A5.indd 14

13
13

24/9/10 14:03:17

Type 2 Diabetes
Pack
2010-2011
Information
BookletInformation
for People with
Newly
Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Retinal Screening
screening for people
people
with Diabetes
diabetes
Diabetes can
can cause
cause changes
changesto
tothe
thesmall
smallblood
bloodvessel
vesselnetwork
network
in the body.
body. The
The eyes
eyes have
haveaasmall
smallblood
bloodvessel
vesselnetwork
networkand
and
over time, the
vessel
walls
can
weaken
and
leak
blood
and
the vessel walls can weaken and leak blood andother
other
substances into
into the
the retina
retina(the
(thelight
lightsensitive
sensitivelayer
layerinside
insidethe
theeye)
eye)
- this is called
Diabetic
Retinopathy.
called Diabetic Retinopathy.
These leakages
centralcentral
and/or and/or
leakages can
can cause
causeblurriness
distorted affecting
vision affecting
peripheral vision.
vision. Often
Oftenthere
thereare
areno
nosymptoms
symptomsuntil
untilthe
thedisease
disease
is at an advanced
stage
therefore
it
is
very
important
that
advanced stage - therefore it is very important thatany
any
changes are detected
detected as
as easily
easilyas
aspossible.
possible.This
Thisisisthe
theaim
aimofof
retinal screening.
screening.
As a
a person
As
person with
with diabetes,
diabetes,
you
will
be
offered
you will be offered an
an
annual
retinopathy
annual retinopathy
screening appointment
screening
appointment at
at
a
local
Opticians
practice,
a local Opticians practice,
which has
which
has been
been fitted
fitted with
with
special
cameras
to
take
special cameras to take
photographs of
photographs
of the
the retinas
retinas
to
check
for
any
diabetic
to check for any diabetic
changes. The
changes.
The screener
screener has
has
been
accredited
to
a
national
been accredited to a national
standard.
standard.

Normalretina
retina
Normal

The retinal
The
retinal screening
screening
appointment
appointment is
is different
different to
to
a
routine
eye
examination
a routine eye examination.
and you
should
attend
Please
refer
to page
both.
Please
refer
to page
21 for more information:
19 for more information:
Entitlement.
Entitlement.

DiabeticRetinopathy
Retinopathy
Diabetic

14
14

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Frequently asked questions

What does the appointment involve?

The screener will ask some questions - checking contact

details are correct, how you manage your diabetes and if you
are taking any medications - please bring an up to date list.

A vision check - please bring your distance spectacles if you

wear any. Some drops (Tropicamide) will be put in your eyes
- these are used to enlarge (dilate) your pupils, allowing
better quality images of the retinas.

The drops take approximately 20 minutes to work and

gradually wear off over a few hours; during this time your
vision will be blurred and it is important that you DO NOT
DRIVE to and from your appointment.

After 20 minutes the screener will take photographs of your

retinas using a special camera.

You should allow up to an hour for your appointment.

These images are then analysed for any diabetic changes and
should further assessment be necessary an appointment at
the local Hospital Eye Department will be arranged.

Who is more at risk of Diabetic Retinopathy?

People with poorly controlled blood glucose

People who have had diabetes for a long time

People with high blood pressure and/or cholesterol

Pregnant women

Do all people with diabetes have to attend?

YES - all people with diabetes aged 12 or over will be invited
for retinal screening every year. The exceptions to attending are
those already under the care of the hospital eye department due
to diabetic eye problems. If you are under the care of a hospital
eye department for other eye conditions you should attend
retinal screening as well.

15

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Will the drops hurt?

The drops will sting a little on insertion, but only for a few
seconds. The drops will enlarge your pupils and may cause some
blurring of your vision, which will gradually wear off over a few
hours. During this time you may also be more sensitive to bright
lights - bring sunglasses as this will reduce the glare.
As the drops cause blurring of your vision - DO NOT DRIVE after
the appointment.
Do the drops have any side effects?
Blurred vision and sensitivity to bright lights are expected when
the eyes are dilated. In rare circumstances people may suffer the
following:

Redness

Pain and discomfort

Haloes around lights

If this should happen, please contact either the screener where

the drops were instilled, or Queen Marys Eye Department and
explain that your eyes have been dilated with Tropicamide.
When will I know the results?
After the screening appointment, the images of your retina will
be checked and a report will be sent to you and your GP. The
report will usually be received within a few weeks of your
appointment. Should further assessment be required an
appointment letter will be sent to you.
Why would I be called back or referred to the hospital
eye department?

The images are not clear enough to be assessed

Diabetic changes may have been detected, requiring close

monitoring and treatment

Other eye conditions may have been detected

16

Diabetes
Information
Pack 2010-2011
Information Booklet for PeopleType
with 2Newly
Diagnosed
Type 2 Diabetes
2011-2012

What if
What
if II detect
detect problems
problemsbetween
betweenappointments?
appointments?
If
If you
you experience
experience any
any visual
visualproblems
problemsbetween
betweenscreening
screening
appointments
it
is
important
you
consult
appointments it is important you consultyour
yourOptician.
Optician.
How can I prevent
prevent Diabetic
DiabeticRetinopathy
Retinopathydeveloping?
developing?
Keep your
your blood
blood glucose,
glucose, blood
s Keep
blood pressure
pressure and
and cholesterol
cholesterol
within
the
targets
agreed
with
your
Diabetes
Team
within the targets agreed with your Diabetes Team
s Maintain
Maintain aa healthy
healthydiet
dietand
andkeep
keepactive
active
s Attend
Attend your
your annual
annualretinal
retinalscreening
screeningappointment
appointment
s Attend
Attend your
your NHS
NHS eye
eyeexamination
examination

Contact information
Contact
information
To arrange,
arrange, or
or rearrange
rearrange an
an appointment,
appointment, or
or for
for further
further information
information
To
about
the
screening
programme,
please
telephone
0208
about the screening programme, please telephone 0208 776
776 3854
3854
or email
or
email bro-pct.BBGDRSregister@nhs.net.
bro-pct.BBGDRSregister@nhs.net.
Address: Digital
DigitalRetinopathy
RetinopathyScreening
ScreeningManager
Manager

SummitHouse
House
Summit

GlebeWay
Way
Glebe

WestWickham
Wickham
West

KentBR4
BR40RJ
0RJ
Kent

17
17

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Looking after your feet

It is very important that you look after your feet and have them
checked as part of your annual review. Diabetes can affect both
the nerves and the blood supply to your feet. Maintaining good
control of your blood glucose and carrying out the following care
will help to prevent problems.

Wash your feet daily. Test the water temperature to avoid

scalding accidents.

Dry, especially between the toes. Cut and file toe nails
following the contour of the nail. If you are unable to cut
your own toe nails, please discuss this with your diabetes
team. A local subsidised nail cutting service is available.

Apply moisturiser (or hand cream) to keep your skin supple

and to prevent cracking. Do not apply cream between toes.

It is ESSENTIAL to examine your feet daily for cuts or anything

unusual.

Breaks in the skin should be covered with a dry, sterile

dressing. Do NOT burst blisters, avoid any further friction and
observe daily.

NEVER use sharp instruments on your feet. DO NOT use corn

plasters as they contain acids.

AVOID direct heat and hot water bottles. Loss of pain and
sensitivity make these dangerous.

Remember high blood glucose levels can affect the rate of

healing and breaks in the skin may take longer to heal. Older
people are most at risk.

Ensure shoes fit well. Have your feet measured and consider
the width of shoes as well as length.

Check inside shoes for sharp objects, stones etc.

18

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Monitoring your diabetes

There are a number of ways to monitor your diabetes control.

1. HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)

A blood test used to determine your mean blood glucose level
over the past 2-3 months. Every person with diabetes will be
offered this test at least six monthly. HbA1c provides a reliable
and efficient means of monitoring your diabetes control.
HbA1c results
HbA1c results are currently given as a percentage. However, the
way in which HbA1c results are reported in the UK is changing.
From 31 May 2011, HbA1c will be given in millimoles per mol
(mmol/mol) instead of as a percentage (%). To help make sense
of this please refer to the table below.
HbA1c blood test
A measurement of your diabetes (blood glucose) control.
For key to readings see page 20
14 (130)
13 (119)

% HbA1c (mmol/l)

12 (108)
11 (97)
10 (86)
9 (75)
8 (64)
7 (53)
6 (42)
5 (31)
4 (20)
3 (9)
0

10

11 12 13

14 15 16

17 18 19

MEAN BLOOD GLUCOSE mmol/l over the last 2-3 months

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Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

HbA1c test

Control

Eqv Home Tests

4.1-6% or 21-42mmol/l

Normal Range

3-6 mmol/l

6-7% or 42-53mmol/l

Good Control

6-8mmol/l

7-8% or 53-64mmol/l

Adequate Control

8-10mmol/l

8-9% or 64-75mmol/l

Poor Control

10-12mmol/l

9-11% or 75-97mmol/l

Very Poor Control

12-15mmol/l

>11% Or > 97mmol/l

Serious Problems

15mmol/l or more

2. Blood glucose monitoring

Testing your own blood glucose at home is not a routine requirement
unless you are using insulin or certain medication that can cause
your blood glucose to drop below 4mmol/l.
In such cases you will be given detailed guidance by your
Diabetes Team.
There may be times when you may choose to monitor at home:
As an education tool to learn about the effect of lifestyle
changes and food intake.
If your HbA1c is above target, home monitoring can be used
to identify problems and inform treatment.
During illness, a time when your blood glucose may increase.
In all the above situations, a short, intensive period of testing at
various times during the day, pre and 2-hours post meals, is
often beneficial.
Meters are available from your Practice Diabetes Team. It is
important that you receive full support, education & training in
the use of the meter & strips, how to calibrate the meter, how to
keep records and when it is important to seek medical help.

3. Urine testing
Not an accurate form of monitoring, although preferred by some
people who want a rough guide to detect abnormally high levels
of glucose in the body.
20

Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Entitlements
People who take medication to help control their diabetes,
regardless of age, are entitled to free prescriptions. You can
collect an exemption form (FP92A) from your GP. This must
be signed by your GP before it is sent off.
All people with diabetes are entitled to a free annual flu
vaccination. It is strongly recommended that you have
this vaccine. You are also entitled to a free pneumococcal
(pneumonia) vaccine. This is only required once.
People with diabetes are entitled to a free eyesight test.
However, as retinal screening is now an annual event, the
frequency will depend on other clinical reasons not diabetes.
This may be one or two years and you should be advised by
your optometrist.
Dental treatment is not free, although it is recommended that
you visit a dentist every 6-months to help prevent gum disease.

Insurance
Motor Insurance
You are advised to inform your insurance company that you have
been diagnosed with diabetes. Failure to do so may result in your
insurance becoming invalid.

Personal insurance: includes life, travel &

health insurance
It is important that you declare your diabetes when applying
for any policy. Any policy you hold at the time of diagnosis
is unaffected but you are advised to inform the insurance
companies.

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Information Booklet for People with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes 2011-2012

Reference list: other ways to learn more

Books
Carbs & Cals: A visual guide to carbohydrate and calorie
counting, Chris Cheyette and Yello Balolia, 2010.
Type 2 Diabetes: Answers at Your Fingertips
Dr C Fox & Dr A Kilvert, London: Class Publishing, 2007.
Diabetes in South Asian People Explained
Tahseen A Chowdhury & Laila T King.
Diabetes: a practical guide to managing your health
R Walker and J Rodgers, Dorling Kindersley, 2004.
Websites
Bexley Diabetes www.diabetesbexley.org.uk
NHS Diabetes www.diabetes.nhs.uk
Diabetes UK www.diabetes.org.uk
National Institute of Clinical excellence (Nice) www.nice.org.uk
Course
Open University course: SK120 Diabetes Care
A 5-month distance learning course, cost 215. Apply via the
Diabetes UK website or www3.open.ac.uk.

Diabetes UK
Informative website
Careline contact details: 0845 120 2960 or careline@diabetes.org.uk.
Literature including recipe books, booklets on subjects related to
diabetes and magazines:
Diabetes For Beginners (Type 2)
Diabetes UK: a magazine at diagnosis or as a refresher. Available
free of charge from your local diabetes UK support group, as
well as Diabetes UK for 3.
Balance Bi-monthly magazine.
Type 2 diabetes: a new beginning starter pack
The pack consists of a DVD, a specially designed 36 page leaflet
along with copies of Know your labels and Know your numbers.
22

Information Booklet for PeopleType

with 2Newly
Diagnosed
Type 2 Diabetes
2011-2012
Diabetes
Information
Pack 2010-2011

Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is the charity
charity for
for people
people with
with diabetes,
diabetes,
their family, friends and
and carers.
carers. Their
Their mission
mission isis to
to
improve the lives of people
people with
with the
the condition
condition and
and
work towards a future without
without diabetes.
diabetes.
Membership line:
line: 0800
0800 138
1385605
5605
Care line on
on 0845
0845 120
120 2960
2960Website:
Website:www.diabetes.org.uk
www.diabetes.org.uk
wealth of
of Information
Informationand
andsupport.
support.
for a wealth

Local Diabetes
Diabetes Support
Support Group
Group
This
group was
was formed
formed in
in2000
2000and
andoffers
offersmutual
mutualsupport,
support,
This group
sharing
information about
aboutthe
thecondition
conditionand
andgood
goodpractice
practice
sharing information
in
current
care
and
treatment
as
well
as
campaigning
for
in current care and treatment as well as campaigning for
improvements
in diabetes
diabeteshealth
healthcare
careprovision
provisionwithin
withinBexley.
Bexley.
improvements in
No membership
membership fee
fee isis payable
payableand
andmeetings
meetingsare
areheld
heldatat7.30pm
7.30pm
on the 3rd Friday
Friday of
of each
eachmonth
month(except
(exceptAugust)
August)atatthe
theUnited
United
Reformed Church,
Church, Geddes
Geddes Place,
Place,Bexleyheath.
Bexleyheath.Anyone
Anyoneaffected
affectedby
by
diabetes
whether
a
patient,
carer
or
relative,
is
welcome
to
diabetes whether a patient, carer or relative, is welcome to attend
attend
it is an opportunity
meet
withinothers
in a and
friendly
and it isand
an opportunity
to meet to
with
others
a friendly
and
informal
atmosphere.
Various
health
care
professionals
informal atmosphere. Various health care professionals speak at
speak
at meetings
topical
issues
from
healthy
eating,
meetings
on topicalon
issues
from
healthy
eating,
activity,
eyeactivity,
& foot
eye
&
foot
care,
to
medication
and
research.
care, to medication and research.
A monthly newsletter
newsletter isis sent
sentout
outcontaining
containingup-to-date
up-to-date
information of
of the
the groups
groupsactivities
activitiesand
andnews
newson
onnew
newinitiatives
initiatives
in diabetes care
care and
and research.
research.AAvariety
varietyofofsocial
socialevents
eventsare
arealso
also
arranged throughout
throughout the
the year.
year.Further
Furtherinformation
informationabout
aboutthe
the
group can be
be obtained
obtained by
bycontacting
contactingthe
theExecutive
ExecutiveSecretary
Secretary
on 0208 302 2446
2446 or
or at
at www.bexley.diabetesukgroup.org.
www.bexley.diabetesukgroup.org.

21
23

Bexley Diabetes
www.diabetesbexley.org.uk
Published by Bexley Diabetes, April 2011 2nd edition