The Diabetes Department is based at North Devon District Hospital and aims to provide a patient-centred integrated service which links between GP, community and hospital care. We also provide a specialist secondary care services, as outlined in the Department of Health’s National Service Framework.

We provide a wide range of services including the following:

Insulin infusion work
Glycemic control
Glucose tolerance – use of continuous glucose meters to identify patient problems
Neuropathy
Retinal screening
Renal Clinic (run by Dr D’Souza)
Close working with the maternity unit, podiatry service and paediatric unit
Diet and Obesity clinics

All services are provided at the North Devon District Hospital.

Links with primary care organisations

We have close links with GP surgeries across Northern Devon, many of which initiate insulin therapy. We also work collaboratively to ensure consistent policies and protocols throughout the area; for example, we work closely with our local PCT to develop consistent insulin guidelines.

We are heavily involved in the provision of professional development for GPs and Practice Nurses, to encourage insulin initiation in primary care.  Additionally, a rolling programme of education is also being developed in collaboration with our colleagues in primary care. Two such initiatives are education courses on Dose Adjusted for Normal Eating (DAFNE) and self-management for newly diagnosed people for diabetes (known as DESMOND).

Outpatient services

Well-established, nurse-led clinics run weekly in the new Outpatients department at NDDH as well as at Holsworthy community Hospital, South Molton Community Hospital and Bideford Community Hospital monthly. They treat diabetic patients with complex problems such as physical, psychological or visual impairment. They also help to establish complex patients on insulin and regularly advise GPs and Practice Nurses regarding a patient’s ongoing care.

Inpatient services

We also have a well-established in-patient service supplemented by a team of diabetes nurses. Involving a multi-disciplinary team approach, our aim is to enable the patient to be discharged from hospital and to provide education and support to ensure a safe recovery after they have left the hospital. 

Paediatric services

The Trust also provides a paediatric diabetes service providing ongoing care for children and their families, and other carers.