What do you think about the COVID-19 response for diabetes patients?

@Lizzb11‍ Hello Lizzb11, thank you for starting this discussion. I think many may also feel disappointed with the response for asthma patients. Let me tag some members so they can weigh in.

Hello everyone, I hope you're doing well. What do you think about the COVID-19 response has been for diabetes patients? Do you feel like you've had enough information and support from your doctor, medical team or the NHS? What could be done better? What are you doing currently to stay informed?

@Wendywoohoo‍ @Mightysar‍ @PollyD‍ @michele11‍ @Lollyd‍ @Artortrees1‍ @Bev2265‍ @Janetmckone‍ @Michelej‍ @Sporty48‍ @CarolineSmith‍ @Susanie1‍ @Tobymad‍ @Pattypat53‍ @Jottie‍ @Tonsley33‍ @Elibelly‍ @Imunique‍ 

Take care,

Courtney

I have type two diabetes I was sent a letter from my GP/NHS to shield I have now since read it’s not on the list when I contact my GP he told me to continue shielding where I work it’s impossible to self distance can anyone advise what I can do 

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes on March 13 this year. I had a phone call from my GP to tell me and he just said, "Your blood results show you have T2D. You need to cut down on sugar and carbs and try to lose a couple of stone. I have written up a prescription for Metformin. You will get an appointment with a dietitian at some point." That, to date, has been the sum total of my support and medical advice. I did call the surgery the following week to ask about working, since I am 61 and have high BP as well as the T2D. I spoke with the receptionist, who said she would check. She came back and said I was fine to be at work. I had told her that I'm an SEN teacher, working closely with students with additional needs. Now the figures have come out to show that more than a quarter of deaths have been people with diabetes. Nobody has checked that I am ok. I think I could have at least had a phone call from the Diabetic Nurse to see how I was getting on. I feel very let down by my practice. 

I am also 61 with T2D & fluctuating BP. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I was made redundant in November so not currently working but if I had still been still there I would be WFH. My 88 YO parents live with us, Dad has COPD amongst other conditions so he's had NHS & GP letters telling him to shield until 30th June. As they don't have a mobile, my number is on their records for contact. A couple of weeks ago I got a text message saying 'you have been identified as someone who may get severe complications if you contract Covid19 ….' & went on to say you must shield until 30th June, but it didn't say who the message was for, me or my Dad. I assumed it was me due to the diabetes. I get all the shopping (the only time I go out anyway apart from a daily walk) but getting a delivery or even click & collect proved nigh on impossible so I called the surgery as I have friends with T2D who have not been told to shield. 

The receptionist told me there was nothing on my notes to confirm I had been told to shield but there was on my Dad's which we already knew. She told me she would speak to the nurse & ask her to call me if I do have to shield. I've heard nothing since.

It seems that the message is not consistent. I am aware that I am deemed more at risk but not that I should have been shielding completely. It is very difficult to shield completely anyway when my partner is still working. 

The only good thing for me through all this is I am losing weight due to all the walking & eating better & my BP has dropped right down!

Hello I'm 54 year old with type 2 diabetes, I have had no correspondence from my doctor regarding this virus. My wife is also type 2 and she has COPD and she also has had no correspondence. She phone the surgery last week to be told they had gone through all the records and any one they decided to be at risk had received a letter. So if you didn't your not at risk. I couldn't believe it.  

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was told to manage it by diet but no other input about a month before the virus got to Scotland. I also have COPD and Asthma and I haven't heard a single peep from my GP. All I got was an appointment for an eye screening.  I'm also overweight so with all that combination I'm extremely anxious.

I am so frustrated by the lack of definitive answers concerning working. At the start I was told, the doctors can’t tell you whether to be off or not it’s up to you, but if you are diabetic and are given the flu jab, then you are advised to social distance and stay at home for 12 weeks, which I’m still doing I have diabetes Type 2 and have atrial fibrillation and high bp. I work at a school and have been asked by my headteacher to provide an isolating letter, which of course I can’t as I’m not  in the critically vulnerable group only the extremely vulnerable. Now  they have told me I need to go back to work as HR have said it is okay for me to go! I have spoken to my doctor and she said to speak to my headteacher and if he felt the risk was acceptable and he could protect me then I could go back however she also said as I have heart problems that was an extra reason why I shouldn’t go back and she may be able to write a letter to support me. however this has not been forthcoming. The government have been talking about putting diabetics on the higher risk group but nothing has happened as yet, it’s so confusing. I don’t want to put myself at risk when I don’t have to , I just wish they would be a definite yes you do or no you don’t return to work from the government.