ESSENTIAL INFORMATION for people with diabetes

Diabetes UK has released an updated ‘15 Healthcare Essentials guide’ this week. Having an annual flu jab and getting help for sexual problems are now included in the guide which aims to help people with diabetes understand what care and support they should be receiving.

This is the first time the 15 Healthcare Essentials have been refreshed since they were launched over four years ago. To make way for the two new ‘Essentials’ the list no longer includes guidance for children and young people as this is now covered separately in Diabetes UK’s ‘Type 1 Essentials’ guide. Care planning has also been removed from the list, instead being mentioned in the introduction which advises readers to: ‘Use this list to talk to your healthcare team about your individual needs as part of your annual care planning review’.

Other ‘Essentials’ have also been updated to contain more detail. As well as getting your long term blood glucose levels measured at least once a year, Diabetes UK recommends that people who self-monitor their diabetes have access to test strips and the appropriate equipment. Advice on weight management now includes where you can get support and information, and recommends receiving ongoing dietary advice from a healthcare professional with appropriate expertise in nutrition, with the option to be referred to a dietitian if necessary. Being given ongoing, individual dietary advice was one of the areas people with diabetes felt particularly strongly that they needed.

To order a copy, go to www.diabetes.org.uk/15-essentials

This news item first appeared in Desang Diabetes Magazine, our free-to-receive digital journal. We cover diabetes news, diabetes management equipment (diabetes kit) and news about food suitable for a diabetic diet. Go to the top of this page to sign up – we just need your email address.


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