Meet Fiona and Dr Ewles, the diabetic duo here at Bangholm!

Fiona, our Practice Nurse runs diabetic clinics every week, and can help manage your condition. Dr Ewles specialises in diabetes and is our lead GP for diabetes within the practice.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.

There are 2 main types of diabetes: 

Type 1 is where the body's own immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin thus reducing the level being made.

Type 2 is the most common type  and is where the body becomes gradually insensitive or unresponsive to the body's own insulin being produced.

For further information & advice, visit the NHS Inform page here.

If you have a diagnosis of diabetes you will receive an annual review appointment where we will check your weight, blood pressure, diabetes blood test (HBA1C) control as well check other bloods including your renal function, cholesterol, thyroid and liver function.

In addition during the annual review we will check your feet for any diabetic-associated foot conditions and separately you should receive an annual retinal screening appointment. Depending on these results you may also be invited on an interim basis over the year for ongoing monitoring and review if we feel this is required.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of diabetes (hypos, erectile dysfunction, side effects of medication) or have any other health concerns please highlight this at your initial appointment and we will endeavour to arrange an appropriate follow-up appointment.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to measure if your weight is healthy for your height. This is important as being overweight, obese or underweight can have signifcant effects on your long term health. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.

Please use this calculator to find out your BMI. If your BMI is overweight or obese, you can discuss this result at an annual review appointment, with your GP or use some of the resources on this page to help make lifestyle changes.

Underweight: anything less than 18.5

Healthy: 18.5-25

Overweight: 25-30

Obese: anything over 30

Screenings currently occur at least every 2 years for patient at low-risk of eye complications with their diabetes. You should receive a invitation letter for an eye review in the post from the team directly.

The appointments are held at various locations across the city at various optician sites. 

For any queries, please call the Princess Alexander Eye Pavillion tel: 0131 536 4145

NHS inform has  more helpful information on the invitation process diabetic screening , taking the test, the interpretation of the results and tips on eye care. 

Special emphasis should be made on maintaining good foot care if you have diabetes.

This is because there are several important foot complications that occur over time with having diabetes including:

• foot ulcers
• increased risk of foot and nail infections 
• reduced or loss of blood supply to feet 
• gradual loss of sensation in feet (peripheral neuropathy)

Fiona Black our Senior Practice Nurse (see photo at top) has extensive experience with managing diabetes and offers annual check of feet during the Birthday Annual Review.

More significant foot issues are seen in specialist foot clinics run by the podiatry team at various hospital sites that require a GP or nurse referral.

Also, some complex or painful nail issues can be managed by our community podiatry team via self-referral link opposite.

For useful online tips on general foot care with diabetes click on the link here to diabetes UK

Coronavirus & Diabetes- To help you treat your Diabetes during the pandemic, Diabetes UK have produced some handy resources. These can be found in their resource pack here.

They also keep a Coronavirus News page on their website to keep you up to date with the latest developments, which you can access here. 

If you have Type 1 Diabetes, attend the Hospital Clinic; and are seeking advice, you can leave a message for a Diabetes Specialist Nurse on their helpline leaving your name, date of birth, phone number and a short message. 0131 242 1471.

My Diabetes My Way- a series of short interactive courses to help you learn about the particular type of Diabetes you have,and some management advice, including dietary advice.

Edinburgh Diabetes- Advice and resources to help you manage your Diabetes.

Diabetes UK- More advice and resources for those living with Diabetes. They also operate an online Learning Zone with a weath of resources, which you can access here.

Living with Type 2 Diabetes- A leaflet from NHS Lothian with information and advice for those with specifically Type 2 Diabetes.

Know Your Food Labels- A resource pack to help you decipher food labels, making it easier to eat healthily and well.

Diabetes and Feet- A resource pack helping you to take care of your feet.

In order to support social distancing, hospital sites are unable to offer drop in appointments at this time.

If you have a problem with a blood glucose meter please contact the relevant helpline, as they can give you advice or a new meter as required.

Likewise, if you are having issues with an insulin pump, please contact your pump company.

If you are having a problem with supplies or upgrade questions, you can either email the pump email address (wgh.csii@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk) or call the pump admin team on 0131 537 1221.