At Woodside Medical Practice, we use an appointment system where our yearly diabetic blood tests are booked up to a year in advance. This ensures that our diabetic patients are seen regularly and at the right time each year.

We run this on a continuous cycle, meaning you will have a diabetic review once a year with our diabetic doctor or advanced practitioner. During this review, you will discuss your medication and your recent blood results. Within this appointment, the doctor will book your next blood test for a year in advance. 

At your diabetic blood test, the nurse will check your feet, take a blood sample, and check your height, weight, and blood pressure. Once you have had your diabetic blood taken, you will then be added to a list and booked into your diabetic review by one of our nurses or HCAs.

You do not need to arrange or book for these appointments unless you cannot attend the original appointment date, in which case this can be rearranged with one of our admin team members or receptionists. Please note that these appointments are subject to change. 

If you are a newly diagnosed diabetic patient, depending on individual circumstances, you may or may not be added to the system. 

If you are pre-diabetic, you will be offered an appointment with one of our practice nurses to discuss your options and how you can improve your health in order to help prevent your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Please note: If you are on multiple medications, you do not need a separate appointment to discuss your other medications. These can be discussed in your diabetic review with the doctor as well as your diabetic medication.

Most people would be shocked to know that around 22,000 people with diabetes die early every year. Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and is a major contributor to kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke.

There are currently 4.3 million people with type 2 diabetes in England, with around 200,000 new diagnoses every year. While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and is not linked to lifestyle, type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through lifestyle changes.

There are currently 2.4 million people in England at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and if these trends persist, one in three people will be obese by 2034 and one in 10 will develop type 2 diabetes.

There is strong international evidence that demonstrates how behavioural interventions that support people to maintain a healthy weight and be more active, can significantly reduce the risk of developing the condition.

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetic Prevention Programme (NDPP) identifies those at high risk and refers them to a behaviour change programme.

The NDPP is a joint commitment from NHS England, Public Health England, and Diabetes UK.

Use the link below to check your risk score now!