There are several different types of clinics for children with diabetes. We ask that you attend a clinic approximately every 3 months.
If you are unable to attend an appointment it is important that you let the appointments department know as soon as possible so that someone else can use your appointment.
Please call 01324 618343 or email fv.paediatricdiabetesservice@nhs.scot.
Types of clinics
New Patient Clinics
These clinics are held on a Wednesday morning in Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes you will have an appointment to attend this clinic within approximately 6-8 weeks.
At this clinic you will be able to spend some time going over your new diagnosis with the doctor, a Paediatric Diabetes Nurse and will also meet our clinical psychologist Joanne Crockett.
Diabetes Clinics
These clinics are held on Wednesdays and Fridays in Forth Valley Royal Hospital for children on Multiple Daily Injections (MDI). The appointment is 30 minutes long and you will meet a doctor together with either a dietitian or a diabetes nurse.
We also run a clinic in Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre every 3 months.
Diabetes Pump Clinics
These clinics are held on a Monday morning in Forth Valley Royal Hospital and a Thursday afternoon in Stirling Community Hospital. These clinics are for children who are on an insulin pump. The appointment is 45 minutes long and you will meet a doctor together with either a dietitian or a paediatric diabetes nurse.
Diabetes Young Person Clinics
These clinics are for young people aged between 14 and 16 years. The clinics are held in the Main Outpatient Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. The appointment time is 30 minutes if you are on Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) or 45 minutes if you are on an insulin pump.
In these clinics you will be seen jointly by the children’s and the adult diabetes team in preparation for moving up to the Young Adult diabetes clinic at the age of 16 years.
What can I expect at my appointment?
At each clinic you will have your weight and height checked as well as an HbA1c measured. We will then ask about any concerns or question you would like to discuss. We will look at uploads of your different devices and make changes to your settings if required. We may also check your injection/cannula sites to make sure they are healthy.
We can talk about a variety of things to help you manage your diabetes, e.g. food, exercise, managing at school, managing school trips, holidays.
If we feel you would benefit from more intensive support, we may arrange more frequent contact through phone calls and clinic appointments.
We can also offer phone and virtual appointments, as long as you are able to upload your devices from home.
What is the HbA1c?
HbA1c is a finger prick blood test. It measures the amount of glucose in the blood that is stuck to haemoglobin in the red blood cells. It is also called glycosylated haemoglobin. The more glucose in your blood the higher your HbA1c measurement will be.
Your HbA1c result gives a measure of what your average blood glucose levels have been over the previous 2 – 3 months. The target for your HbA1c is 48-58mmol/L and under 48 mmol/L in the first year after diagnosis.
To achieve this, your average blood glucose readings on finger prick checks over 2-4 weeks should be 8mmol/L or less. If you are using Libre or another continuous glucose monitoring device, your time in range (TIR) should be >70%.
More information on this is available on the Know your Numbers page.
Annual health screens
After the age of 12 years, we start a yearly process of health screening, which will then continue into the young adult and adult services. Screening tests are designed to find issues as early as possible, when they can be dealt with more easily.
These screening processes include:
A yearly blood test
- to check for other conditions which are more common if you have Type 1 Diabetes: Coeliac Disease and Autoimmune Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- to check cholesterol levels – if these are high they can contribute to developing cardiovascular disease later in life
- Kidney function to check that your kidneys are healthy and working well
Blood Pressure check
- High blood glucose levels over a long time may cause kidney problems, which in turn may increase blood pressure readings.
- High blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular disease later on in life, especially in those with diabetes.
Urine test
- A urine sample can be tested for protein, a possible early sign of kidney problems. Further tests may be needed to see what, if any, problem exists.
Eye test (Retinal Screening)
- High blood glucose over a long time can cause eye problems. Yearly appointments for photos of the back of the eyes (“retinal images”) are arranged for those over 12 years of age to help find early eye problems.
- See our information sheet on what happens at your retinal screening appointment.
- If you have any concerns about changes to your eyes please contact your optician. Please visit NHS Inform for more information on the newly revised eye screening intervals in Scotland.
- If you would like to check you are on the waiting list for eye screening please phone 01324 616140 or email fv.diabeticretinalscreening@nhs.scot.
Foot care
- Foot care is important for those with diabetes. You may have a foot examination at clinic although usually only if problems are being experienced – in which case a referral to a podiatrist will be made.
What do I need to bring with me to my appointment?
Everyone manages their diabetes in different ways and with different devices.
In order for us to help you with your diabetes care it is important that you bring the following:
- Your Blood Glucose and/or flash glucose meters (including meters or readings from school)
- Your insulin pens including those used at school and different households (if using Smart Pens)
- Your Blood Glucose diary and/or food and carbohydrate diaries if using
- Your list of questions and topics you would like to discuss.
We would encourage you to be able to upload your devices at home as this makes it easier for you to understand your readings and make changes between clinic appointments. If you are using your mobile phone for readings and bolus calculations, we can show you where to find the information to interpret patterns and make changes.
We can upload your devices in clinic and will go through any uploads with you during clinic visits
Appointments
You should be seen at clinic at least every 3 to 4 months. If you do not receive your next appointment please phone the Diabetes Team on 01324 567177.
If you need to cancel or change your clinic appointment
We understand that there are times when you are not able to come to your appointment. If this is the case, please phone to cancel or change your appointment as soon as you know you will not be able to attend. This will allow us to offer that appointment to someone else who might need it. Please call 01324 618343 or email fv.paediatricdiabetesservice@nhs.scot.
In between clinic appointments
The diabetes team are always ready to help you. If you feel you need additional diabetes support or advice between clinics, please contact a member of the team and don’t wait until the next clinic. We are happy to discuss any issue over the phone or arrange an additional appointment if needed.