Services
Community Diabetes Service
The community diabetes service is made up of a team of specialist nurses, dietitians and diabetes educators/facilitators.
Service Update
Service Update – patient education sessions
We are happy to say our face-to-face information sessions are restarting across Gloucestershire! If you are already on our waiting list we will be in touch as soon as we have availability. Alternatively, we will continue to run our diabetes information sessions online via Microsoft Teams. You can access this if you have an internet connection and a laptop, PC, tablet or smartphone. Whether you would like to attend virtually or in person, you are still able to register for our sessions by clicking on the referral button below. Please do contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.
We support people with type 2 diabetes in managing their condition to the best of their ability. You may be referred to us for a variety of reasons:
- There is a concern that your long-term blood glucose control is too high
- You might need a new form of diabetes medications
- You might be experiencing repeated episodes of low blood glucose (hypos)
- You may need help altering your diet to control your glucose
We offer support by providing community clinics throughout Gloucestershire, home visits to the housebound or nursing home patients and we will see patients at their own surgeries when appropriate.
Community clinics are held in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Dursley, Forest of Dean, Cirencester and North Cotswolds.
People with type 1 diabetes are looked after by the team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Further information can be found here.
Contact us
Southgate Moorings
2 Kimbrose Way
Gloucester
GL1 2DB
Call: 0300 421 8163
Email: CommDiabetesTeam@ghc.nhs.uk
An Introduction to Diabetes Structured Education
Patient education sessions
Evidence shows that people with diabetes who know how to manage their condition have better long term outcomes. It is recommended that everyone diagnosed with type 2 diabetes attends an education session so that they can learn about their condition and how to manage it.
All of our information sessions are led by a Diabetes Specialist and can be offered as a two to three hour face-to-face group session at a local venue (including a GP Surgery, Community Hospital or Community Centre) or as an online course using Microsoft Teams. The online course is split into two parts to make it more manageable; each session lasts around 90 minutes, so please ensure you make an appointment to attend both.
You can refer yourself to any of our patient education sessions using the form on this page, but you are advised to attend the sessions in the following order:
Diabetes and You
This exciting session is for anyone managing Type 2 Diabetes, regardless of the length of diagnosis. We also encourage carers or family members to join us as they play a vital role in supporting the person to successfully manage their condition. During the session, patients will have the opportunity to meet with other people who have Type 2 Diabetes and ask questions. Topics include what diabetes is and what’s happening to our bodies, diabetes risk factors, how to manage hypos, understanding the potential complications and most importantly how to lead a happy, healthy life! More information is available here>
Diabetes, Food and You
This session is led by a Registered Nutritionist who will be able to answer questions and bust common myths around diabetes and food, such as: What foods should I be eating? What foods should I avoid? Is there a ‘diabetes diet’ I should be following? Etc. This session will build upon the knowledge gained from ‘Diabetes & You’ so it’s important to attend that session first. Topics include understanding what a healthy and balanced diet means, what benefits do we get from each food group, why it’s important to understand carbohydrates and sugars plus much more! Further information is available here>
We strongly recommend attending the Diabetes and You session before attending this one.
Diabetes, Insulin and You
This education group is aimed at people who are new to using insulin. The sessions are led by a diabetes specialist nurse who will introduce the different types of insulin, why it’s required to support someone’s diabetes management and how to safely prep and use an insulin pen. This session is open to any family members or carers who want to learn how to confidently support someone taking insulin. More information is available here>
We strongly recommend attending the Diabetes and You session before attending this one.
Travel, transport and parking
Our information sessions are hosted at various locations across the county, for information on how to get to your chosen location via car or public transport please see the location tabs below. We have included additional information about parking and a What3Words address.
These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather, or other events may cause conditions to differ from the suggested route, and you should plan your route accordingly.
Gloucester
Address: Walls Club, Hammond Way, Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3HG
- Car: If using a SatNav, please enter GL4 3YL as venue postcode.
- Bus: Stagecoach 10 Gold to Barnwood Rd. (Co-Op supermarket). A short walk to the venue will be required (approx. 4mins, 0.2mi). Please refer to the Stagecoach website Plan your bus journey – Route Planner | Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)
- What3Words: Reply.Double.Piles
- Parking: Parking is free and ample, there are disabled spaces close to both entrances of the building, please use the entrance close to the changing rooms (signposted).
Cheltenham
Address: The Wilson Centre, 236 Prestbury Road, Cheltenham GL52 3EY
- Car: Please follow the address and postcode provided.
- Bus: There are several buses that go along Prestbury Road. Please refer to the Stagecoach website: Plan your bus journey – Route Planner | Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)
- What3Words: nail.cotton.pass
- Parking: There is a car park located at the rear of the building for patient use. You should be able to park on site, although places may be restricted at particularly busy times. If you cannot find a space there are some residential streets nearby which you can park on.
Forest of Dean – Coleford
Address: The Main Place, Coleford, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH
- Car: The venue is located on the B4228, close to Coleford Town Centre. Please use the postcode provided if following a SatNav. If you require alternative parking, please see the information below.
- Bus: Stagecoach 22 to Old Vicarage Court or Stagecoach 23 to Angel Hotel (Coleford Clock Tower). A short walk to the venue will be required for both (approx. 5mins, 0.3mi)
- What3Words: Revised.Zaps.Universes
- Parking: There is parking available at the venue, including a limited number of disabled spaces. There is also a large pay and display car park at the Railway Drive car park (behind the Co-Op supermarket), postcode: GL16 8BQ.
Forest of Dean – Lydney
Address: Hill Street Training Rooms, 11 Hill St, Lydney GL15 5HJ
- Car: Please follow the postcode provided if travelling via SatNav. The venue is directly opposite Wildin & Co.
- Bus: Bus 23 & 755 will stop closest to the venue at Forest Parade. A short walk to the venue will be required for both (approx. 5mins, 0.3mi)
- What3Words: Helps.Casino.Shielding
- Parking: There is parking available at Newerne Street Car Park (please use the following postcode on a SatNav: GL15 5RA), located near Lydney Practice. This is a pay and display car park so please ensure you purchase a ticket with sufficient time (approx. 4 hours) debit and credit card payments are accepted.
Cotswolds & Cirencester
Address: Cirencester Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane, Cirencester GL7 1YE
- Car: Please use the postcode provided if travelling with SatNav.
- Bus: Stagecoach 51 towards Swindon to Meadow Court (if travelling from The Forum in central Cirencester). There is a short walk to the venue (approx. 0.1mi).
- What3Words: Pokes.Glossed.Spoken
- Parking: There is parking available at the venue, including a limited number of disabled spaces. There is also multiple spaces located at the rear of the building and surrounding roads (please do not park in the trading estate).
Stroud
Address: Longfield Hospice, Burleigh Lane, Minchinhampton GL5 2PQ
- Car: Please follow the address and postcode provided. Once on Burleigh Lane, the entrance to the hospice is located on the righthand side.
- Bus: Please refer to the Stagecoach website Plan your bus journey – Route Planner | Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com). A short walk will be required to find the venue.
- What3Words: boards.apes.offices
- Parking: There is plenty of parking at the hospice. For the closest parking spaces aim for the gravel car park. We use the education suite which is just opposite the car park.
Tewkesbury
Address: The Devereux Centre, Barton Rd, Tewkesbury GL20 5GJ
- Car: Please use the postcode provided if travelling with SatNav.
- Bus: Stagecoach 41, 42, 43A towards Tewkesbury to Hospital bus stop.
- What3Words: Zeal.Wove.Savings
- Parking: There is plentiful parking available at the venue, including a number of disabled spaces. This is a pay and display car park so please ensure you purchase a ticket with sufficient time (approx. 4 hours)
Patients interested in attending these information sessions are encouraged to self-refer by filling in the referral form aboveHowever, if you are referring for the information sessions on behalf of the patient (i.e. as a GP, Practice Nurse or other Clinician/Support Service), please follow this link to the Primary Care Referral Form and return to the team by email or post:
Email: CommDiabetesTeam@ghc.nhs.uk
Post: Southgate Moorings, 2 Kimbrose Way, Gloucester GL1 2DB
Frequently asked questions
Why should I attend a diabetes education session?
Having diabetes does not mean that you cannot lead a full and active life. However, there is a lot to learn in order to manage your condition well. You will get on-going support from your GP and practice nurse but it is also important to attend an education session soon after you are diagnosed. This is because there is an additional advantage to having good early control.
What happens after the diabetes education session?
Attending a diabetes education session will help you make the most of future appointments with your GP and practice nurse and be more involved in your treatment choices. We also send a letter to your GP to let them know that you have attended.
What can I eat? Everyone is telling me something different.
Healthy eating and good activity levels underpin the management of diabetes. Diet and lifestyle adjustments are the most important aspects of diabetes care. Diabetes control improves if you adopt a healthy lifestyle. Attending the Diabetes, Food & You session will provided you with all the up to date information and you will also have the opportunity to ask any questions that you have.
Alternatively, if you would like more information about eating and diabetes we would recommend you visit the Diabetes UK website at www.diabetes.org.uk/enjoyfood
Why should I be concerned about my weight?
Eighty per cent of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight. The more overweight and inactive you are, the more at risk of insulin resistance you are. The sessions will help you manage this.
Is type 2 a mild form of diabetes?
Our administrators would be happy to answer any questions you may have prior to deciding if a referral to the clinical team is needed, please give us a call on 0300 421 8163.
Remember, all of our patient information sessions are available via self-referral. Please see above for more details.
