Tuesday 17 May 2011

Type 1 Diabetes Care Needs An Agreed Basic Care Plan From The Medical Profession.













It Is My Belief That An Agreed Basic Care Plan Can Be Delivered By All Hospitals & Primary Care For patients With Type 1 Diabetes!
                OR
Do I need To Take Off My Rose Tinted Glasses?



What is becoming more apparent

Depending on where you live, dictates what guidelines you are given at diagnosis & through out the continuing care your appointed hospital relays.

In years gone by this was probably not really highlighted. However with the age of the Internet highway. It would appear that there are so many different thoughts & guidelines given from DSN's, Consultants & Hospitals on how to treat Type 1 in different situations. It is become rather confusing, frustrating & on occasions infuriating.

Why can't the Consultants & DSN's agree a set of " key advice rules" for every day living with Type 1?

Do I correct at night?

Do I need/can I  carb count?

Do I need to check blood glucose levels through the night?

Annual Screening for Coeliac & Thyroid from diagnosis.

Routine urine & blood pressure check at your 3/4 month review.

Would an insulin pump help with control & give more flexibility?

Would a CGM help reduce "hypo's"?

Do I give supper without insulin?

Do I always need to give long lasting carbs after I have treated a "hypo" with fast acting carbs?

Can I get glucose tablets on prescription?

At what blood glucose level do I give a correction?

When to use glucogel or "hypostop".

At what age is it suitable for my child to start doing their own injections?

Do I need a glucagen kit?

Do I need/can I have ketone sticks?

Can I have have a blood ketone meter & blood ketone strips?

My child is now 12, so will you check their eyes & feet?

How many times do I need to check my child's blood glucose levels each day?

Please feel free to add to this list as it's important. I would like to highlight the fact that the advice given from the specialist teams can vary so much.This is the reason so many  parent's are starting to question what is "the best" & which is the most "appropriate "advice for their child?

It also makes caring for a child with a complex condition more challenging. As if life wasn't difficult enough!

Whilst there will always be different opinions within the Medical Profession. I am positive a "basic care "plan could be agreed.

I have to question my self sometimes! Am I asking for too much? Am I being realistic?

My thoughts are: I don't think so. As parents we are dedicated 24/7 we are just asking to be given agreed advice by the "Medical Profession"








2 comments:

  1. it really is so variable. I don't think a national guideline exists and it's upto the senior Dr in your hospital to decide. When I was at the DiabetesUK family Support Weekend it was so evident we had all be told different things. And how diabetes is treated in schools differs widely too.

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