Now that you have diabetes, not only will you be going to your GP or clinic when you have a problem with your diabetes, but also for your annual review, which is recommended for everyone with diabetes.
You will be receiving help and support from a number of healthcare professionals - not just your GP - who make up your healthcare team.
Your diabetes healthcare team
GP practice
Your GP has overall responsibility for the care you receive at the surgery. Some may play a central role in monitoring your diabetes and prescribing treatment. Others who are not diabetes experts may refer you to a clinic or to a specialist diabetes centre.
Practice nurses play a central role in providing diabetes care. They may be the person at the surgery who provides you with most of your diabetes care, with support from the GP when necessary. However, not all have specialist knowledge of diabetes.
Diabetes specialist nurse
Diabetes specialist nurses (DSNs) have special expertise in diabetes, and work solely with people with diabetes. Many make home and school visits, and provide telephone advice outside clinic hours. Some may be able to alter your medication. Most hospitals and community clinics have DSNs and some GP surgeries have DSNs visiting during diabetes clinics.
Diabetologist
Diabetologists are consultants who specialise in diabetes. Diabetologists are usually based at a hospital clinic or specialist diabetes centre, although some areas have community diabetologists who provide diabetes care and support in primary care.
Registered dietitian
Everyone with diabetes is entitled to see a registered dietitian for individual dietary advice. They may be based at GP surgeries, diabetes centres, hospital or community clinics.
Registered podiatrist
Registered podiatrists manage foot problems related to diabetes. They advise on shoes, check problems and treat calluses and ulcers. You should be referred from your hospital clinic or GP surgery.
Optometrist
Optometrists work in community settings, testing people’s eyesight, examining eyes, giving advice on visual problems and fitting glasses. In many areas, optometrists are trained to carry out retinopathy screening.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are based in all pharmacies/chemists. They give you supplies of your medication when you provide them with a prescription from your GP.
The NHS in your area
For more on the NHS in general in your nation, visit the websites under 'Related links'.