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Dear «PATIENT_Title»«PATIENT_Surname»
We have redesigned the care we give to our patients with diabetes and would like to invite you to attend for your annual diabetes review at our new clinic.
We recognise that living with diabetes becomes a lifelong learning process, whether you have just been diagnosed or had diabetes for some time. Monitoring your health when you have diabetes is crucial to preventing some of the complications associated with diabetes. This involves knowing your blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fat levels, as well as the condition of your feet and getting your eyes screened for retinopathy
To achieve the best possible diabetes care, you need to work together with healthcare professionals as equal members of your diabetes care team. Here at the Health Centre the team is made up of ……(names & roles)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. It is essential that you understand your diabetes as well as possible so that you are an effective member of this team
To this end your annual review is designed to enable you to lead a normal and healthy life. It must be about what you want and need as well as what healthcare professionals recommend.
How does the annual review work?
You will not always get your care right; none of us do, but we are here to support you. Ask questions and request more information, especially if you are uncertain or worried about your diabetes and/or treatment. Remember the most important person in the team is you.
The following list of responsibilities is given to help you play your part in your own diabetes care:
It is your responsibility to:-
- Take as much control of your diabetes on a day-to-day basis as you can. The more you know about your own diabetes, the easier this will become.
- Learn about and practice self-care which should include education about healthy eating, exercise and monitoring blood glucose levels.
- Examine your feet regularly or have someone check them.
- Know how to manage your diabetes and when to ask for help if you are ill,
e.g. chest infection, flu or diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Know when, where and how to contact your diabetes care team.
- Build into your daily life the diabetes advice discussed with you.
- Talk regularly with your diabetes care team and ask questions you may have.
- Make a list of points to discuss at appointments, if you find it helpful.
- Attend your scheduled appointments and inform the diabetes care team if you are unable to do so.
Whilst we are in the process of getting this new system up and running we recognise that some patients who are also receiving diabetes care at the hospital will be invited to our clinic around the same time. We apologise if this happens to you, but do ask that you come and have your appointments as above. Dr (Consultant Diabetic Specialist at Milton KeynesHospital) has asked us to ensure that you have this annual review as an important part of your care.
In summary:- Please ring and make a thirty minute morning appointment in the Health Care Assistant clinic. They will book you an appointment for your diabetic annual review with ……………………… once they have completed your diabetic tests. This will be in approximately 4 weeks’ time.
- Please bring an early morning sample of urine with you.
If you have any queries please phone and ask to speak to ………………., our Diabetes Clinic Administration Manager. We look forward to seeing you,
Yours sincerely