Type 1 Diabetes Education

Scope

Providing type 1 diabetes education for those living within the Torbay and South Devon area.

We provide two group educational courses for individuals with type 1 diabetes.

TT1DE (Torbay Type 1 Diabetes Education) 1 day course for those requiring an update on type 1 diabetes management and carbohydrate awareness.
TIFA (Torbay Insulin and Food Adjustment course) A 4 session course which teaches the principles of carbohydrate counting and insulin adjustment. Individuals must be using a basal bolus regimen to undertake this course.

It is mandatory that individuals complete the TT1DE(Torbay Type 1 Diabetes Education) course first and then progress onto the carbohydrate counting course.

The education programme is Quality Institute for Self-Management Education and Training (QISMET) certified.

Please note referral criteria (see referral section below) are applicable and referrals may be returned.

Out of Scope

People under the age of 18 years old

People with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes

Red Flags

Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.
Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and now using insulin will NOT be accepted.
Patients experiencing reduced hypoglycaemia awareness or a history of recent severe hypoglycaemic events, should be referred to the Diabetes MDT service
Patients with unstable diabetes should be referred to the Diabetes MDT

Investigations

HbA1c within the last 3 months
Blood Pressure within the last 3 months
Please also provide details of most recent annual diabetes review including cholesterol/HDL ratio, and urine microalbumin.
Current diabetes medication

Please advise us of anything which we would need to be aware of when providing education in a group setting eg specific learning needs

Management

On referral please specify which course you wish to refer your patient to.

TT1DE (Torbay Type 1 Diabetes Education course) 1 day course for those requiring an update on type 1 diabetes management and carbohydrate awareness.

TIFA (Torbay Insulin and Food Adjustment course) A 4 session course which teaches the principles of carbohydrate counting and insulin adjustment. Individuals must be using a basal bolus regimen to undertake this course.

Patients will be put on a waiting list and sent a letter inviting them to the specified course with a date and time, they will be asked to contact us to either accept or decline the invitation. If they decline structured education the referrer will be notified. If they decline that specific course we will offer the next course or offer an alternative virtual option. If 2 courses are declined we will advise the referrer and remove them from the waiting list. If we do not hear from them they will be advised in writing that if they wish to remain on the waiting list they should advise us of this within 2 weeks of the letter. The referrer will be copied into this letter, if no response after 2 weeks the patient will be removed from the list. Once a course has been completed the referrer will be notified to read-code the attendance.

We also offer a virtual carbohydrate counting option for those who find it difficult to attend a face to face course. We do however encourage patients to attend the face to face option as we believe that the peer support element of our self management courses is an integral component.

Referral

Referral Criteria

Please note referral criteria are applicable and referrals may be returned if this information is not contained within the referral letter.

Age 18+
Type 1 Diabetes
Motivated to engage in self management education
Prepared to attend a group setting
For TIFA carbohydrate counting course must be using a basal bolus insulin regimen
Surgery within Torbay or South Devon PCN footprint

On referral please specify which course (see management) you wish to refer your patient to.

If you are unsure of the suitability of the courses for your patient please contact us sdhct.diabetes@nhs.net

Please note if during the course preassessment it becomes apparent the patient requires specialist review of their diabetes we will decline the referral to diabetes education and advise you that referral to the secondary care diabetes team is recommended.