Diabetes Nursing Service

Who we are

We are a team of specialist nurses with expertise in the care and treatment of diabetes and our administrative team. We offer a service to clients in east Kent.

We provide a link between the person with diabetes, the consultant diabetologist and the GP or practice nurse giving advice and monitoring medicine changes.

What we do

We provide education, advice and support to empower our clients, relatives and carers to manage their condition. We offer a service to clients with type one, type two and gestational diabetes. By listening to what is important to you and helping you identify what areas of your diabetes you would like to change, we can agree a plan to help you achieve this. Our goal is to achieve optimal diabetes control.

We complete an assessment of your diabetes and help you understand all you need to know about being newly diagnosed and the ongoing management of unstable type one or type two diabetes. We advise how to help improve and maintain good diabetes control to reduce persistent low blood glucose and increase awareness of the associated symptoms.

We are able to support young adults transferring to our service, as well as people who require insulin therapy from a continuous pump. We provide lifestyle advice including maintaining good diabetes control, healthy eating and weight management to prevent a diabetes emergency. We can also support people with diabetes plan a healthy pregnancy and offer support if you develop diabetes in pregnancy.

We offer assessments and support via telephone or online appointments and we will offer you a face-to-face appointment if we need to see you at a local clinic or your home.

The Government, NHS England and Diabetes UK (the charity for people with diabetes), recommend that everyone with diabetes should have access to education to help manage their own diabetes.

The benefits of attending an education course include improved confidence and understanding of diabetes and lifestyle choices, awareness of the risks associated with diabetes and an opportunity to meet others and share similar experiences.

How do you use this service?

You can ask your GP or healthcare professional to make a referral to our service.

If you have seen us within the last four weeks you can contact us using the details at the top of the page.

Diabetes education and revision in Kent (DERIK) at home

All referrals and sessions are now managed via the Kent and Medway diabetes booking hub. We can also accept self referrals, please visit the Diabetes education website, contact the hub on 01233 228749 or email diabetes.bookinghub@nhs.net.

• Book on to the diabetes education course

DERIK at home:

The DERIK program aims to provide information to help you manage your Type 2 diabetes and stay well.

These videos accompany the virtual education session and explore what is diabetes, how it can affect your health and the benefits of a healthy diet and physical activity.

DERIK at home session 1

DERIK at home session 2

Diabetes Practitioner Service

Our experts are offering support to GPs, practice nurses and healthcare assistants who want to know more about diabetes.

Our Diabetes Practitioner Service, commissioned by Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, includes:

• education sessions for GPs, on medications, foot care and best practice
• training sessions to upskill practice nurses and healthcare assistants, to increase knowledge, skills and confidence
• our diabetes experts accompanying practice nurses when they carry out complex patient reviews
• bespoke education sessions based on practice needs.

Contact our Diabetes Nursing Service by emailing kentchft.diabetesadmin@nhs.net or by phoning 0300 123 3167.