First steps in self-management education for people with Type 2 diabetes:

http://www.desmond-project.org.uk/newlydiagnosedandfoundationmodules-278.html

DESMOND is the collaborative name for a family of group self management education modules, toolkits and care pathways for people with, or at risk of, Type 2 diabetes. The DESMOND Programme offers training and quality assurance for Healthcare Professionals and Lay Educators to deliver any of the DESMOND modules and toolkits to people in their local communities.

To find your nearest organisation, please visit the following page:

http://www.desmond-project.org.uk/locationmap.html

Diabetes

Managing blood glucose levels on the diabetes rollercoaster: how low should you go?

Non-removable casts are better than dressings or removable casts for helping diabetes-related foot ulcers heal

Managing diabetes: new evidence on targets for blood pressure and blood glucose

http://www.evidentlycochrane.net/category/diabetes-2/

Preventing type 2 diabetes: exercise, eating and evidence

Website:www.iddt.org/ 

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects around 2.2 million people in the UK of whom 85 to 90% have Type 2 diabetes and 10 to 15% have Type 1 diabetes. In the UK there are about 20,000 children with Type 1 diabetes under the age of 15 years.

The number of people with diabetes is increasing throughout the world with Type 2 diabetes reaching epidemic proportions.

IDDT Helpline

IDDT has a CONFIDENTIAL Helpline to offer support to anyone affected by diabetes. This includes people with diabetes and their families, health professionals, employers and others.

Our aims are to offer understanding and support and to provide information to help people to live with diabetes. 

HELPLINE telephone 01604 622837

IDDT is available from 9.00 am to 4.30pm, Monday to Fridays.
The IDDT Helpline offers callers:

• A listening service
• Information
• Support
• Written information, as appropriate

What the IDDT Helpline does not offer to callers:

• It does not offer medical advice
• It does not offer the opportunity to speak to medically trained staff
• It does not offer counselling

We are here to help where we can!

 Leaflets

Click here to order printed leaflets

Carbohydrates
Coeliac Disease And Diabetes
Diabetic Neuropathy and Footcare
Diabetes – Stress, Anxiety and Depression
For Family Carers
For Parents Of Children With Diabetes
Glossary Of Terms
Hypoglycaemia
Joint, Muscle and Bone Problems Associated with Diabetes
Kidneys And Diabetes
Looking After Your Insulin
Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes
Sexual Dysfunction In Men And Women
The Eye And Diabetes
Weight And Diet
Your Diabetes – Know Your Rights

I have actually contacted the IDDT for information packs to help my patients and I have to say their knowledge and information is outstanding. Brilliant resources and fantastic staff. 

The website has a plethora of information on Diabetes type I and II as well as gestational diabetes. Please have a look at the News section and my Blog for more IDDT information. 

Carers Corner www.iddt.org

Introduction – Carers Corner
Some facts about carers in general 
Financial Help
Carers and Diabetes 
Tips for Carers 
A Message for Healthcare professionals 
Carers and hypoglycaemia 
Respite Care

Introduction – Carers Corner

IDDT is a charity concerned with listening to the needs of people who live with diabetes, understanding those needs and doing its utmost to offer help and support. We not only try to help those who actually have diabetes, but also their family carers – the husbands, wives, partners and parents. We all live with diabetes and we recognise that when one member of the family has diabetes, it affects all the other family members to a greater or lesser extent. Family carers have views and needs, they may well be different from those of the person with diabetes, but nevertheless, they are valid and important.

Note: Parents of children with diabetes are very special sorts of carers and if you are a parent then you should visit the section ‘Parents and Family‘. 

Carers Direct on NHS Choices is a comprehensive, award winning resource for carers of all kinds. To find out more, please visit the NHS Choices website:

NHS Choices: Carers Direct

Newly Diagnosed with Diabetes 

When newly diagnosed with diabetes, most people find themselves in a state of shock. However, being diagnosed with diabetes doesn't prevent you from leading a 'normal' life.

There are stories on the Diabetes Forum from people who have had all sorts of experiences when being diagnosed. 

Most people receive great care from their GP and healthcare team, although some people report having just been given some tablets and been told to get on with it.

If this happens to you, make sure your doctor finds time to discuss your condition with you, or refer you to someone who can answer your questions better than they can.

No matter what your experience is when being diagnosed, the Forum is full of people who understand what you are going through because they have lived through it and been in your shoes. Feel free to bring up any topics or questions there and the community will do their best to help you out.

What type of diabetes do I have?

If you know the type of diabetes you have, read further guidance related to your diabetes type:

There are also guides for those newly diagnosed with LADA, MODY or Diabetes insipidus.

Understanding diabetes

You will know that diabetes means that your blood has higher amounts of glucose/sugar in than normal.

However, you may have other questions about why this is the case and how diabetes will affect you.

• Our guide on what is diabetes will help to answer some basic questions.
• Read about the causes of diabetes and the effect of diabetes on the body.
• Want to know how diabetes could affect your daily life? Read our guide on having diabetes.

Understand your diet

The diet you have may depend on your diabetes type. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you will need to be aware of how much carbohydrate is in meal times in order to balance your insulin doses.

Many people with diabetes find carbohydrate counting courses to be very helpful, with the DAFNE course receiving particular praise. Ask your doctor about the possibility of being put on carbohydrate counting course.

Diet can help people with type 2 diabetes to better manage diabetes. NHS diet advice has received a certain amount of criticism from diabetes patients over a reliance of the diet on carbohydrate; however, some NHS practices appear to be better than others.

• Read our guide on which foods help diabetes and diet basics.

Book a place on a diabetes education course

For type 1 diabetes, as mentioned above, the carbohydrate courses are very helpful.

For type 2 diabetes, a range of diabetes education courses exist, which help you to manage to your diabetes, whilst also providing the chance to meet others with diabetes.