Diabetes clinics rolled out across east Kent

Following a successful pilot to improve care for patients with diabetes, 10 weekly clinics involving a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) are being established across east Kent over the next 18 months.

Herne Bay Primary Care Network (PCN) successfully trialled the MDT clinics to make services more accessible for complex and poorly controlled diabetic patients.

Funding was secured from NHS Kent and Medway’s health inequalities fund to roll out the clinics which will focus on areas with the highest levels of deprivation and higher prevalence of diabetes.

The new clinics will take the core elements and the learning from the pilot, building on its success but tailoring them to the local population needs across east Kent.

New clinic works wonders for Sarah

Now that she feels her diabetes is finally under control, Sarah Wood is finding it easier to eat healthily and with a new-found burst of energy, she has also returned to the gym.

Sarah, 57, from Herne Bay, was first diagnosed with diabetes more than 25 years ago, when she was pregnant. Over the years managing the condition, along with her weight, has yo-yoed, with Sarah trying various medications with greater and lesser success.

But now that a new clinic has opened at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Herne Bay, the mum of three and grandmother to a teenager and a baby, can now see everyone involved in her care at the same time and under one roof. And having easy access to this trio of experts, a practice nurse, a diabetes specialist nurse and a dietitian, has already brought results.

Sarah, a lead carer in a small residential home, said: “When I heard about this new clinic, I jumped at the chance. They explained everything to me and it was really helpful to have everyone there together, the dietitian, the practice nurse and the diabetes specialist nurse, so all of my questions could be answered.

“Over the years I’ve tried different medications, tablets, insulin and injections, but nothing really worked long term. I tried changing my diet, but diet alone has never been enough to manage it, although eating the right things does help. This is why having the dietitian there is good. Like everyone else, I know what I should eat really, but it’s easier said than done.

“Following pregnancy, my diabetes did go for a while, but with a strong family history of it, I was told it would probably come back. But with the new medication I’m now having and with the help I’m getting at the clinic, I feel like I’ve finally got things under control. It’s been brilliant and worked wonders for me.”

Since going to the new clinic Sarah’s HbA1c, a test for blood sugar levels, has improved from 80, which was high to 57, which is within her target range. She’s also lost around half a stone in weight.

She said: “Now that I am seeing results, it’s inspired me. I’m find it easier to eat better, I’m watching my portion sizes and as I don’t feel so tired, I’ve started going back to the gym, it’s been really helpful. It’s all coming together.”