Hospital care

The Diabetes NSF (standard 8) aims to ensure good quality care is provided for people with diabetes whenever they are admitted to hospital and emphasises that they should continue to be involved in decisions concerning the management of their diabetes wherever possible.

The Torbay Diabetes Team provide advice and education for patients with diabetes admitted to hospital.

Each ward has a diabetes ward link nurse who can also advise on referral to the diabetes team.

Our specialist nurses are usually involved in the following situations:

  • All newly diagnosed patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
  • All patients starting insulin
  • Patients on sliding scales, and for whom advice is needed
  • Patients newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
  • Patients admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis
  • Patients admitted due to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
  • Patients with unstable blood sugars
  • Patients on insulin pumps
  • Those patients who need further education on (or provision of) monitoring equipment and insulin pens
  • Established diabetic patients who need further education on self-management of diabetes
  • Patients admitted with diabetic foot problems

Patients with diabetes undergoing operations or other surgical procedures usually require specific advice relating to the control of their diabetes before, during and after the planned operation or procedure. One of our diabetes specialist nurses is dedicated to this role and works closely with patients as well as with surgical and anaesthetic departments to achieve good diabetes control during the peri-operative period.