Diabetes
In west Hertfordshire around 30,000 people are living with diabetes – around 1 in 20 residents. Of this number about nine out of 10 patients have Type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to lifestyle issues such as an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.
Many people will experience potentially preventable complications from their diabetes such heart disease, blindness, kidney damage and amputations because they don’t know enough about their condition and how to manage it.
There are a range of NHS services locally that aim to prevent people developing Type 2 diabetes and provide support and treatment for people living with diabetes:
- Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
- Integrated diabetes service
- For more information and support for diabetes in West Hertfordshire, see this website
Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is an initiative that can help patients reduce their chances of getting Type 2 diabetes.
If you are at high risk of developing diabetes, you could join the programme and make changes to improve your health for the future.
The programme covers healthy eating, lifestyle choices, help to lose weight and information about physical exercise, with weekly meetings to get you started followed by monthly sessions to help you stick with it.
These simple measures, as well as more awareness of the causes of Type 2 diabetes, could be the difference between having the condition – and avoiding it completely.
To check if you might be at risk of developing diabetes, use the online tool at www.diabetes.org.uk/risk then talk to your GP about your results. Your doctor might suggest a blood test and then refer you to take part in the programme.
You will then receive tailored, personalised support to reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes including education on healthy eating and lifestyle, help to lose weight and physical exercise programmes, all of which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing the disease.
You are eligible for support through the service if you meet the following criteria:
- Aged 18 years and over
- Regiestered with a Hertfordshire GM practice
- Have high glucose levels Find out what this means here
- Not pregnant
- Able to take part in light/ moderate physical activity
What can you expect?
Once you have confirmed your place, you will be supported through the following steps:
- Initial one-to-one assessment with your Health and Wellbeing Coach to assess your health and wellbeing, understand your individual needs, motivations and programme goals.
- Join a local programme, which consists of nutrition guidance and support, individual strategies and tools to empower long term progress and physical activity sessions and advice.
- Your end of programme one-to-one review with your Health and Wellbeing Coach will celebrate your successes and achievements and consolidate learning to date. This one-to-one will support you with setting your post-programme goals.
- You’ll have the option of either a 'remote group' service – attending group sessions via telephone or videoconference - or an online service using websites and apps.
How to join
If you have been told you are at risk of diabetes and meet the criteria, you can access your local Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme service in the following ways:
- A referral from your GP or nurse
- A referral from a Health Check professional
Find out more by going to the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme website.
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Herts Valleys integrated diabetes service
This service is led by consultants and aims to provide high quality specialist diabetes care in the community. The service supports patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and also works with GP practices to help them provide enhanced diabetes care to their patients.
The Herts Valleys Integrated Diabetes service team works with the Diabetes team at West Herts Hospital NHS Trust (WHHT), Hertfordshire Community Trust (HCT) and Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT). It brings together the various specialist clinical services that work within the community to support patients with their physical and mental health needs as well as providing support and advice to help them manage their diabetes and stay well. Services include:
- Diabetes nurses
- Specialist dietitian support
- Diabetes education
- Diabetes clinics in GP practices and health centres led by consultants with support from a multidisciplinary team
- Foot clinics
- Wellbeing service and specialist psychological support
The service also links with other providers such as social services, nursing homes and the voluntary sector as appropriate.
Patients are referred into the service by their GP or other professional. The service looks at people’s needs to make sure they are seen by the right person or a team of people so that they get the help they need.
Advice and education to help patients stay well and look after themselves is a key focus of the service. Newly diagnosed patients are invited to go on a structured education programme that gives them the information they need to help them manage their diabetes. Patients can access ongoing education sessions to help them in managing their diabetes longer term.
The service also provides training and education for GPs and practice nurses to help them better support their patients. Practices can call on specialist support if they have a patient needing more complex help.
The new service builds on existing support which includes close monitoring of patients within the community through annual or six monthly check-ups. The aim is to empower and promote self-management of this long term condition, referring and liaising with other health care professionals as necessary to improve outcomes.
Locations and contact details
Head Office
Sandridge Gate Business Centre
Ronson Way
St Albans
AL4 9XR
Telephone: 01727 732082
Email: hertscommunity.diabetes@nhs.net
Clinics
| St Albans and Harpenden |
Harpenden Memorial Hospital, Carlton Road, Harpenden St Albans Health and Wellbeing Centre, Civic Centre, St Albans |
| Watford and Three Rivers |
The Avenue Clinic, 11 The Avenue, Watford Skidmore Way Health Clinic, Skidmore Way, Rickmansworth Oxhey Drive Health Centre, Oxhey Drive, South Oxhey, Watford Bushey Medical Centre, London Road, Bushey |
| Dacorum |
Gossoms End Community Hospital, Victory Road, Berkhamsted The Marlowes Health and Wellbeing Centre, Hemel Hempstead |
| Hertsmere |
Potters Bar Community Hospital, Barnet Road, Potters Bar Elstree Way Clinic, Elstree Way, Borehamwood |
Further information
Further information can be found on the Herts Valleys integrated diabetes service website, with a section ‘resources for patients’: https://hertsvalleysdiabetes.co.uk/