Diabetes
The diabetes specialist nursing team are a clinically-led service that provides care to adults and children with type 1 diabetes, or those with type 2 diabetes who manage their diabetes with Insulin or who are unable to control their diabetes with tablets alone and require injections.
Our services
The following key services are offered by the diabetes specialist nursing team:
- Education and skill development so that adults and children can manage to live with the condition to the best of their ability
- Specialist advice and support to individuals with diabetes
- Education and advice to professional and non-professional staff who care for people with diabetes
- Structured Education Programmes STILE for adults with Type 1 diabetes
- Structured Education Programme X-PERT for adults with Type 2 diabetes six week course (2½ hrs per session) or three week course (all day)
- Structured Education Programme X-PERT First Steps for adults with type 2 diabetes (one 2½ hour session)
New patients
Please be aware that while there is no age restriction to this service, the service does vary depending on the age of the service user; for instance, care of children is provided via a different model.
New patients are referred into the services by an accredited referrer, i.e. GP, Practice Nurse, Community nurses or by Acute Care Teams by means of a specialist referral form. Patients cannot refer into the service themselves, they need to be referred in by an accredited referrer.
Existing patients
Existing patients can contact the service directly for help and support – they do not need further referral by a health professional.
Services we do not offer
We do not see or offer routine diabetes care and individual appointments for patients with Type 2 diabetes not on maximum oral agents to regulate their diabetes.
What to bring with you
- Blood glucose monitoring equipment and test results/diary
- Injectable therapies
- List of oral medications
- Glasses and hearing aids
- Hypoglycaemia treatment (if required)
Frequently asked questions
- Do you see all patients with Type 2 Diabetes?
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Not individually unless they need to start injectable therapies although all patients with Type 2 Diabetes can attend our X-PERT Education Programme.
- Do you provide training to care homes?
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Not on an individual basis but we run courses specifically for carers.
Where are we?
There are various clinics held throughout the county in:
- Bridgnorth
- Ludlow
- Market Drayton
- Oswestry
- Shrewsbury
- Telford
- Whitchurch
Some clinics are also provided in schools and colleges for children with diabetes.
Home visits are available when this is most suitable for the patient, this will be arranged by the team and with the patient directly.
Contact the team for further details of clinics and their specific locations.
Contact us
Contact us
Single point of access
Tel: 01743 277693
Email the team
Service Manager
Holly Bowles
William Farr House
Mytton Oak Road
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY3 8XL
Who are we?
This service is provided to both Shropshire County and Telford & Wrekin residents.
You are likely to meet the following healthcare professionals when using this service:
- Adult and Paediatric (child) Diabetes Specialist Nurses
- Diabetes Specialist Dietitian
- Diabetes Educators
Useful links
The following provide useful links to information for patients and carers:
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and our "Local Offer"
What is the Local Offer?
The local offer provides information for children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) and their parents or carers in a single place. You can find out more about information about this on our SEND reforms and Local Offers page.
Service Description
We serve the population of Shropshire and North Powys and provide care for all children diagnosed with diabetes and their families. This care involves teaching skills and knowledge in the management of their condition and working in close partnership so that they can achieve the best possible outcomes for themselves as individuals.
We provide education, skills and knowledge to the child and all involved in their daily lives to enable them to gain independence in self-managing their condition. This is continuous from diagnosis to the time they leave paediatric care as adults at age 19. Our services are inclusive and are age and development tailored.
What do you provide to children and young people with an additional need and or disability 0-25yrs?
We provide services as above to all children aged 0-19 years.
Do you provide support for parents and carers?
Yes, as diabetes affects the whole family in all aspects of the child’s life including schools, colleges and residential care homes
Who can use our service? Age? Disability?
Patients with a diagnosis of diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) who are resident in Shropshire and North Powys, aged 0-19 years.
Once a diagnosis of diabetes has been made, there is open access to our service.
How to access our service (inc. referral routes)
Referrals are immediate at the time of diagnosis via local secondary care providers. Alternatively when children with pre-existing diabetes move into the area either with their families or into boarding schools or are placed in the county as a looked after child.
There is no cost for the service, the referral system is via the diabetes consultants in secondary care or General Practitioner.
When and where is our service available?
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm except Public Holidays
Services are delivered in the patient’s own home or usual place of residence, nurseries, pre-schools, school, college, and holiday and after-school clubs.
In-reach into secondary care settings to provide training to the staff (doctors, nurses).
As a team we are based at William Farr House in Shrewsbury but cover the whole of Shropshire and North Powys. Standard service delivery across the county.
How to find out about the service
Website, GP practice, any health or social care professional.
Introduced at diagnosis or at initial out-patient appointment on arrival into the county. Boarding school or patient’s previous Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse will also refer into our service
How can families contact the service?
Patients and families have our central telephone number 01743 277696, our work e-mail addresses and have 24 hour access to the Paediatric wards at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals.
For external agencies: is the service free or charged?
External training is provided to support workers and providers pertaining to the individual patient
Is the service accredited? If so, by whom?
No
How can families complain if they are not happy with the service?
All complaints are handled by our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints teams.