Diabetes
Living with diabetes is not always straightforward. At The Portsmouth Diabetes and Endocrinology Centre we recognise the importance of people living with diabetes condition being able to access new treatments and technologies and that patient education and training is the cornerstone of modern diabetes care.
We provide a number of courses and services to assist patients with understanding and managing their diabetes. We have a strong team of diabetes experts to educate people with diabetes and their families.
Diabetes services are provided in collaboration with community teams (GP’s and Practice Nurses) across the area. People can access the services listed in the drop-down list at the Queen Alexandra site with all remaining care taking place via GP and Practice Nurse teams (with support, if needed, from community diabetes specialist teams).
Endocrinology
Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system in the human body. This is a system of glands which secrete hormones. Hormones are chemicals which affect the actions of different target organs in the body.
The department deals with a range of endocrine disorders. As well as general endocrine clinics there are specialised clinics for pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal diseases. We also have a service for ladies with Turners syndrome, and transition clinics for adolescents moving from paediatric department to the adult service.
Research
We have an active research team and we are constantly striving to improve our knowledge and understanding of diabetes. Many of our patients have kindly taken part in research studies over the years and have helped add to our understanding of diabetes. Please click on the ‘Research’ drop down menu below if you would like to see what we are currently researching and how you can take part.
Guidance and education on the management of diabetes for patients in hospital. At any one time, approximately 18% of patients in hospital have diabetes. Acute illness, surgery, rehabilitation, and being away from usual routines can affect glucose routines, requiring changes to treatment. Additionally, glucose levels which are different to usual can cause recovery to slow.
What does it cover?
- One to one clinic support for those not achieving their diabetes management goals and wishing to work intensively to try and achieve these.
- Education program (JIGSAW)
- Support in the use of technologies such as glucose monitoring devices and insulin pumps in accordance with NICE guidelines.
What doesn't it cover?
- Routine complication screening which is usually undertaken by practice nurse teams.
What does it cover?
- Supporting the transition of patients from the paediatric team to adult services.
- Advice and support with the management of diabetes for those aged 16 to 25.
- Insulin pump and technology support for those aged 16 to 25.
What doesn't it cover?
- Routine complication screening is usually undertaken by practice nurses, but please get in touch to let us know if any of these are overdue.
What does it cover?
Those over the age of 25 with Type 1 diabetes.
- Guidance for patients on the management of their Type 1 diabetes.
- Education programs, particularly for those newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
What doesn't it cover?
- Routine complication screening which is usually undertaken by practice nurse teams.
What does it cover?
- Pre-pregnancy counselling for all women with diabetes considering pregnancy
- Care and guidance for all pregnant women with pre-existing or gestational diabetes
Clinics are held weekly on a Wednesday in the Maternity Department at QA Hospital. Please contact us for bookings at 023 9228 6000, ext. 4553.
What doesn't it cover?
-
Post-pregnancy care, which is provided by the usual teams.
What does it cover?
- Guidance on the management of diabetes for adults with Type 1 diabetes and stage 3b, 4 or 5 CKD.
- Guidance on the management of diabetes alongside haemodialys or peritoneal dialysis.
- Guidance on the management of diabetes for renal transplant patients and those with New Onset Diabetes After Transplant (NODAT).
What doesn't it cover?
-
Routine screening for complications and specialist renal care.
What does it cover?
Guidance on the management of an ‘at risk foot’ in adults with diabetes.
- Foot condition or wound with a medical disorder complicating management
- Possible underlying bony infection
- Active Charcot foot disease
- Persistent foot ulceration with chronic foot deformity
- Foot ulceration with abnormal foot x-rays
- Foot condition requiring additional imaging beyond x-rays
- Foot condition complicated by atypical skin or joint disease
- Foot condition requiring MDT input (podiatry, medical)
What doesn't it cover?
- Routine screening for complications
- Advice on ankle or leg wounds