Choice Case Studies Database

The diabetes specialist primary care service in collaboration with Riverside Medical Centre has introduced Diabetes Primary Care Diabetes Clinics for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The main aim is to give patients the choice of having their care at their local surgery or general hospital, working collaboratively with the specialist nursing team helping patients get the best from their diabetes management plan, improving access, avoiding duplication of care, proactive call and recall and improving health and satisfaction for the person with diabetes. The practice operates out of a modern, well maintained premises offering a full range of services to patients.

The primary care diabetes specialist nursing service is working jointly with the practice nurse with a special interest in diabetes at the surgery once a month to see patients with Type 1 diabetes, complex cases and difficult to manage cases. The patients are given the choice of having their diabetes care at the surgery or at the local hospital. The Riverside Medical Centre has developed and evolved to include a one stop approach to diabetes, with depth of experience and knowledge within the nursing team, coupled with a commitment to ongoing training to maintain and update skills and work collaboratively with other health care professionals.

A full explanation of what care they can expect, how to access the service, benefits the surgery can offer and time for questions are given to the patient, so they can make an informed choice about where they wish to have their diabetes care managed. Those who choose to have their care at the surgery receive a letter from the surgery confirming their agreement and a letter is sent to the consultant at the hospital advising them of this. The patients have expressed satisfaction having their care locally, being able to see the same person each time, being able to park for free, having sufficient time spent with them to discuss their management and knowing that the healthcare professional knows them individually. Receiving the right care, in the right place by the right person.