This page explains what you and your child can expect at your diabetes appointment.
How do I get an appointment?
Children are normally referred to the diabetes service by their GP. Some also come to us from the accident and emergency department or through the intensive care unit.
Our diabetes clinics take place every Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon.
Changing or cancelling your appointment
If you need to change or cancel your child’s appointment for any reason, please contact the appointments centre on 020 7188 7188 ext 53102 or email paediatricdiabetesappointments@gstt.nhs.uk.
Please tell us as soon as possible so we can offer the appointment to another patient.
Before your appointment
Please bring along your child’s red book (personal child health record) to your appointment.
If your child has already been diagnosed with diabetes and is coming to us for the first time, please bring all the equipment your child uses such as:
- blood glucose meter
- hypo treatment
- insulin
- any record books.
It is also helpful to bring with you a list of any other medicines your child is using.
During your appointment
Good diabetes care needs the skills of different specialist staff. You and your child may be seen by a doctor, specialist diabetes nurse, dietitian and psychologist (known as a ‘multi-disciplinary team’).
This team will see you and your child at least four times per year. Other appointments and tests may also be necessary. We may also contact you by telephone or email, if you have given us your permission.
It is very important that you bring all your child’s glucose meters to every appointment.
As we are a teaching hospital, students and visitors may be observing the team. We will always ask your permission for them to observe your appointment.
After your appointment
After your child’s appointment, we will send a letter to your GP or the doctor who referred you to us. We will also send a copy of this letter to you and any other doctors and health professionals involved in your child’s care.
The letter will contain contact details in case you have any questions.
If your child needs a follow-up appointment, we will arrange this before you leave the clinic.
Test strips, insulin and needles are usually prescribed by your GP.
Patient leaflets
See our diabetes leaflets page for a list of leaflets that may be relevant to your child's care or treatment.
Our diabetes service complies with national standards by including data in the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit. This is a national audit which looks at all services across England and Wales monitoring standards of care for children with diabetes. If you would like more information about the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit, including if you want to opt out of it, please ask the diabetes team.