NHS Lincolnshire CCG is supporting World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2021. 2020 reports show that people living with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of dying with Covid-19, and the NHS in Lincolnshire is reaching out to people living with diabetes who may be concerned by this news, and also to those who are worried about developing Type 2 diabetes.

People with diabetes are not more likely to contract the virus than those without and those under 40 are still at extremely low risk, whether they have diabetes or not. However, people living with diabetes – whatever type they have – may want to be more informed on how to best manage their condition, ensure they take their medication as directed, exercise a little and eat well.

Many outpatient appointments have been paused due to the pandemic, but your health professionals are still available to support you via telephone or video consultations. In addition, community-based specialist nurses are also continuing to support GP practices and other health professionals to help keep people safe.

There are several ways to access information and support during these times:

For people with Type 1 diabetes a new Type 1 digital education programme called MyType1Diabetes is available for free.  This provides a platform to learn how to support and manage the condition and prevent complications associated with the condition.  More information and access is available at www.mytype1diabetes.nhs.uk.

For children, young people and those caring for children or young people with diabetes, there is Digibete. Digibete is an informative and supportive programme that supports self-care and management through a range of education topics. There is also an app associated with the programme which can link directly to a patient record to give up to date and accurate readings, results and care plans.  This aspect is only accessible through a code which is generated by the paediatrics team.  More advice and information can be found at www.digibete.org.

For people with Type 2 diabetes: MyDesmond is a free of charge, digital education platform that provides support, information, handy hints and tips and unique peer support to enable people living with Type 2 Diabetes to manage the condition themselves wherever possible.  Access to the programme is available through referral from a GP practice or diabetes healthcare professional.

If you are an adult with insulin-treated diabetes and you need immediate clinical advice, but cannot access your usual care team the NHS Diabetes Advice Line is available on 0345 123 2339 9-6pm Mon-Fri.

If you think you may be at risk of developing diabetes and would like to know what programmes, support and advice is available for prevention, take a look at the Xyla Health and Wellbeing’s website. The site contains lots of useful information including nutrition tips for staying healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic.  You can also find about your local NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.

If you want to see if you are at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, why not take a few minutes to take Diabetes UK’s ‘Know Your Risk Tool’?  In a few simple steps it will calculate your risk and advise you what to do next.  Find out your risk here:  Diabetes UK – Know Your Risk of Type 2 diabetes

Sarah Dunderdale, Diabetes Transformation Lead, NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, says: “On World Diabetes Day, we want the people of Lincolnshire to know we are here for them.  Fifty seven thousand people in Lincolnshire have diabetes with many more likely to develop it in the near future. We will do all that we can to help prevent or delay people from developing diabetes and ensure those with the condition live long and healthy lives.”

We also have a virtual Patient Engagement Group, which receives regular updates and provides patients, carers and families with the opportunity to get involved in Diabetes service developments across Lincolnshire.  To get involved, please email: lpn-tr.lincsdiabetes@nhs.net