The Specialist Diabetes Service supports people who require specialist support in order to look after their diabetes.

Please note: this service is only available to people living in Preston, Chorley or South Ribble.

The team consists of specialist nurses, dietitians, link workers and administration support staff who work with individuals, their families and carers when specialist care is needed.

The Specialist Diabetes Service provides support in the following ways:

  • Education programmes for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, so that the person with diabetes may better understand how to live with the condition and how to get the best out of lifestyle changes and treatments used to control diabetes
  • Assess, plan and make changes in treatments. We support people to make lifestyle changes and fully involve the person, aiming to empower the individual to become an expert in their own care
  • Act as an expert resource for other healthcare professionals who support you in managing your diabetes
  • In-reach service for people with diabetes who are an in-patient at the Royal Preston Hospital and the local mental health units
  • Home visits for the housebound, frail, or those with a clinical need
  • Prison visits for inmates with diabetes

How to access the service 

To access the service a referral is required either from your primary care team (GP or practice nurse) or from other healthcare professionals, such as hospital doctors.

To access dietitians a referral may be sent from your GP or specialist doctor or you can refer yourself following attendance at DESMOND education sessions. More information about DESMOND is available online.

To attend an education programme for either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes you are able to refer yourself.

Type 1 Diabetes is a complex condition. Every day someone with Type 1 Diabetes needs to make numerous decisions about insulin, food choices and activity to self-manage their condition.

In general, people are motivated to maximize their quality of life. People with type 1 diabetes require the knowledge and skills to allow them to make the best possible decisions for them to follow their chosen lifestyle.

This programme is an opportunity for people with Type 1 Diabetes to develop and improve their self-management skills in relation to insulin therapy and carbohydrate food intake to achieve more stable glycaemia and reduce the risk of short and long-term complications.

The course is run over a 3 to 6 week period between 5pm and 8pm on the same day each week. The course is aimed at anyone with Type 1 diabetes. It is very practical and gives you an opportunity to meet other people with Type 1 diabetes and share experiences.

The Carbohydrate and Insulin Self-Management Course is divided into 3 modules:

Getting the basics right

Explore and strengthen understanding of Type 1 Diabetes, and insulin therapy; introducing the idea of estimating the amount of carbohydrates in food and drink.

Methods for estimating the carbohydrate content in food and drink

Explore and practice using a selection of different methods for estimating the carbohydrate value of a range of food and drink, and develop an understanding of carbohydrate to insulin ratios.

Applying carbohydrate estimating and insulin adjustment skills

Widen knowledge and understanding of carbohydrate estimation and insulin adjustment and explore and improve self-care skills in preventing and managing diabetes ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia.

Participant Feedback

  • Absolutely worth attending, I now have a completely different outlook on my diabetes. I feel more in control and happier and more confident about the future.
  • Great workshop – very informative and practical in which the information can be used every day.
  • Fantastic learning opportunity for both the diabetic and their partner, no matter how long you have had your diabetes for!

Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed (DESMOND) is a free national diabetes structured education programme for people with Type 2 Diabetes, whether newly diagnosed or who have had their Diabetes for more than one year.

The aim of the programme is to increase an individual's knowledge of Type 2 Diabetes, share self-management skills, have a better understanding of poor glycaemic control and come away from the session with an understanding and empowerment to set clear, effective goals and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Programmes run for a full day or 2 half days and are delivered to groups of up to 10, all attendees are welcome to bring a partner, friend or relative.

Programmes are delivered in English, Urdu or Gujarati.

Find out more about DESMOND online here

To refer yourself to this course please contact the team

Email: desmond@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

Telephone: 01772 777 620

Ethnic Community Support

An Asian Link Worker works with the Diabetes Specialist Team to provide interpretation during consultations for those patients whose first language is not English. She also gives support to Asian patients and the local community in relation to diabetes and diabetes education.

Where the service is provided

The service is based at the Minerva Health Centre in Preston at Preston North End football stadium.

Clinics are also run from Chorley and South Ribble District Hospital.

Education sessions are run from Minerva Health Centre, Chorley Diabetes Centre, Life Style Centre Chorley and various community venues.

Home visits are arranged where necessary.

The Specialist team also in-reach into Royal Preston Hospital, Guild Lodge, Ribbleton Hospital and HMP Prison.

Contact Details

Specialist Diabetes Team

Telephone: 01772 777 621

Education Programme Team

Telephone: 01772 777 620

Address:
Minerva Health Centre
Lowthorpe Road
Preston
PR1 6SB