Diabetes Week may be over but our Diabetes Nurse Team are here to support every day.
The team consists of Inpatient Diabetes Specialist Nurse Lead Karen Gnosill, Diabetes Specialist Nurse Tan Hanif, Diabetes Specialist Nurse Diya Sebastian and Diabetes Specialist Nurse Katie Mullan.
On a daily basis the team reviews all patients with diabetes on AMU and ward 29 reviewing their control and medication and carrying out foot assessments.
Staff visit all adult wards to review any patients with problematic diabetes control and also provide a diabetes ante-natal clinic and diabetes outpatients clinic on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
When asked what it has been like working during a pandemic Karen Gnosill said:
“As challenging as it has been during the pandemic we are proud to say we have continued to cover all wards and provide the same service.
“We have also been able to do virtual clinics via telephone which has helped to keep us and patients informed.”
The team has faced some difficulties during this time.
“Education is key when dealing with diabetes and this can be more challenging with full PPE as patients aren’t getting the communication in the usual way and it can be even more difficult if they are hard of hearing.”
They would like everyone to know:
“Diabetes UK states that if you have diabetes – regardless of what type, you are no more likely to catch coronavirus than anyone else.
“However everyone with diabetes, including those with type 1, type 2, gestational and other types, are vulnerable to developing a severe illness if they do get coronavirus, but the way it affects you can vary from person to person.
“Being ill can make your blood sugar erratic. This means you’re more at risk of having either high or low blood sugar levels and it is important that if patients become unwell they seek medical advice as soon as possible.”
In normal times the team works Monday to Saturday, however due to a reduction in staff through shielding colleagues are currently available Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm on 01922 656543.