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ALL WALES DIABETES PATIENT
REFERENCE GROUP |
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NEWSLETTER FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH
DIABETES |Issue 7th October 2020 |
Here we go again!
A few more restrictions to help us
steer clear of Covid -19 and keep healthy, but it is for our own good and this month’s
newsletter has some good news on progress for you to read. Wendy Gane Chair of
the AWPRG gives an outline on the way ahead
Essential Diabetes Services-A new way of care in the Future
The Covid 19 pandemic has affected everyone’s lives across
Wales and has had an impact on our Diabetes Services. It has caused disruption
to our diabetes care and a pause in the Diabetic Eye Screening Service.
Everyone in NHS Wales have worked extremely hard to provide
care to those people who developed Covid 19 and had to be admitted to hospital.
Some Diabetes teams were redeployed because of this and the
Community Diabetes Nurses went to visit people at home to provide them with the
support and care they needed.
People with diabetes became anxious during this time of the
possibility that they may develop Covid 19 and they were afraid to go to their
Surgery or visit their local hospital to get the help they needed to help them
manage their diabetes.
This has had an effect on our mental health as many people
felt isolated Similarly there were people who were diagnosed at this time who
were not aware of the symptoms of diabetes and as a result of this had to be
admitted to hospital.
We need to remember the 4 T, s campaign for Children who may
develop Type 1 diabetes
The signs and symptoms are the same for Adults who may
develop Type 1 Diabetes as well.
There have been Innovations in care developed during this
time like drive through HBA1c testing for children and Annual Reviews at home.
As we move forward and the restrictions of lockdown are eased,
we need to think about the restart of our diabetes services.
The recovery of Diabetes Essential Services group has been
set up and it will make recommendations to Welsh Government and Health Boards
on what the services will be like in the future.
There are subgroups which will look at the different aspects
of diabetes care such as Children, Education, Foot services, Prevention, BAME
Communities, Pregnancy and
Diabetic Eye Screening will also be included.
The All Wales Diabetes Patient Reference Group has a person
with diabetes on every subgroup to give their views on the development of
services going forward.
Our diabetes services are going to be provided in a different
way in the future. We will be having telephone and video consultations from our
surgeries which will include a questionnaire to be filled in before having our
appointment with the Practise Nurse or Doctor.
Outpatient appointments will be done by using technology to
help inform us about how we can be supported to manage our diabetes. We will
then speak to the Doctor or nurse.
We must also not forget those people who are not able to
access social media
Like people with learning disabilities and those who have
developed sight loss.
Diabetes UK Cymru can also provide you with information and
support and also have a Careline you can ring for advice. Information is also
available from their website.
Pocket Medic films and NHS Resources are also available to
you.
In the meantime, stay safe and keep well.
Wendy Gane MBE
DESW update October 2020 – For All
Wales Diabetes Patient Reference Group
I’m really
pleased to be able to confirm that eye screening clinics have now re-started
following our service pause. Our staff
are so happy to be back seeing participants, even though it feels a bit
different to how we used to work before COVID.
We have
clinics booked in venues in all Health Board areas across Wales, but there are
a lot fewer premises available for DESW clinics compared to before March. This is because NHS buildings are being used
differently to support COVID safe services, with many areas withdrawn from
normal use to make more space for social distancing. For DESW, this means that we can’t run as
many clinics as we used to each week, and we may not be able to offer
appointments in venues where we have previously seen you.
For
re-start, we are inviting people for screening based on clinical priority
rather than in strict date order. This
means that; even if you are overdue an appointment, including if your appointment
was cancelled because of COVID, you may be invited after someone at higher risk
of developing sight threatening diabetic retinopathy than you.
Within each
clinic, we have fewer appointments to support social distancing and give our
Screeners time for extra cleaning between participants. Screeners are wearing masks, gloves and
aprons in clinic because they need to get close to participants when giving eye
drops and taking photographs.
So that we
can make full use of our limited appointment numbers, we are trialling
different ways of booking appointments in some clinics and will be seeking
feedback on each of them over the next couple of months.
For all
appointment offers, we are asking people to confirm that they will be
attending. This allows us to offer any
empty appointments to other people on the waiting list, so if you do not plan
to attend, please let us know in advance.
On the day
before your appointment (or on the Friday before a Monday clinic), you will
receive a call from a DESW Screener. You
will be asked some questions to confirm that you do not have COVID symptoms,
and given specific information about how things will work in the venue where
your appointment is booked.
We are keen
to gather your views about coming to eye screening after the service
pause. A questionnaire is available on
our website www.publichealthwales.org/desw throughout September and we’d
appreciate receiving your feedback.
While you
are waiting for your next eye screening appointment, the best way to support good
eye health is to follow your diabetes management plan because your HbA1C levels
have an effect on your eyes. If you are
concerned about your vision, please contact
your regular Optometrist who can direct you to the nearest open practice if
their service is restricted.
Stay safe and thank you for your patience, we’ll see you as soon as we
can.
Jude Kay, Head of Programme – Diabetic Eye Screening Wales
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Programme
10.00am – Introduction
10.15am – Breakout sessions
1. Bereavement
2. Befriending / Volunteering and Mental Health
3. Mindfulness for young people
4. Dementia and BME communities
5.
Emotional Wellbeing
10.45am – Feedback from above
sessions
11.15am – Statement from Welsh
Government
11.30am – Breakout sessions
1. Diabetes prevention – Know Your Risk
2. Welfare and Finance
3.
Benefits of Mentoring during Covid-19-The Mentor Ring
12.00pm – Feedback from above
sessions
12.30pm – Question and Answer
session with health professionals
1.00pm – Breakout sessions
1. Yoga
2. Salsa
3. Healthy Eating
1.30 pm – Discussion – ‘How
effective have public health messages been at reaching communities?’
1.50 pm – Feedback of the day
2.00 pm – Close
Inspire
Award Winner – Jayne
Griffiths
Our Congratulations to Jayne Griffiths on receiving the
Diabetes Uk Cymru Inspire Award for Reaching Out and Connecting Communities
Award. Jayne is based in Llandrindod Wells Tesco, she also overseas other
stores in West Wales including Cardigan, Pembroke and Haverford West.
Jayne is an active Supporter of Diabetes Uk Cymru and
promotes their Services to people with Diabetes throughout Llandrindod Wells.
She has arranged a Fundraiser event and is a trained speaker for Diabetes Uk
Cymru raising Awareness of Diabetes in her Community. Jayne was also involved
part of Tesco.
Do you, or someone you Know have Type 2 Diabetes?
Help us understand how to get better diabetes control without
the stress. Please take part in our Research.
What do I have to do Now?
Bloodline has developed an online questionnaire in
conjunction with Swansea University to help us understand what motivates people
with Type 2 Diabetes to want to control their blood glucose better.
We are doing this so that we can design a better more
personal Support System including an App.
If you would like to take part in the Survey please follow
the Link
https.//blood-line.co.uk/news/bloodlinelaunchstudywithswanseauniversity.htm
Anyone taking part will have a chance of winning one of our
Freestyle Libre Starter packs, simply complete the online questionnaire.
If you would like to know more about Bloodline, please visit
our website to find out more.
Contact Dr Steve Lloyd, Chairman Bloodline on 07879335429
with any questions you may have.
Flu Vaccination
As the Flue season approaches remember to book an appointment
with your Surgery to have the Flu. Vaccination done THIS IS FREE
Chair of the All Wales Reference group Ms. Wendy Gane MBE
Deputy Chair Mr Paul Croker
Newsletter
Editor Mrs Yvonne Johns
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