Current projects
Working to bring diabetes services closer to you.
Diabetes, particularly in the centre of Sheffield, is becoming an increasing problem with an alarming rise in the number of people with the disease.
As levels of obesity increase the city is seeing more cases of Type 2 Diabetes, where the body cannot produce enough insulin. The GP Consortium wants to ensure that as many such patients as possible are managed in the community, rather than in hospital.
We have carried out a review of diabetic services with hospital consultants, GPs and patients and put forward a business case to Sheffield Primary Care (PCT), to improve access to health care services for these patients.
We are hoping to employ two specialist diabetic nurses who will not only provide community-based care for patients but will also train up practice nurses in all our GP surgeries.
We also want to improve access to podiatry and dietetic services for patients with Type 2 Diabetes, starting in the Attercliffe, Tinsley and Darnall areas where the need is greatest.
Facts and figures:
- More than 2.3 million people have diabetes in the UK and a further 500,000 have the condition and don’t even know it.
- Symptoms include: increased thirst, needing the toilet all the time – especially at night - extreme tiredness, weight loss, blurred vision, genital itching or regular episodes of thrush and slow healing of wounds.
- Symptoms can be easily missed, especially with Type 2, as they are less obvious and can easily be put down to age or stress. But if you think there’s a possibility you may have diabetes, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.
- Although the condition can’t be treated, it can be easily managed with different treatments, ranging from insulin injections and tablets to taking more exercise and eating healthier.