Diabetes service

Our mission is to educate, encourage and empower young people with diabetes to confidently manage their diabetes to live happy, healthy and successful lives.

The Diabetes team specialise in working with children up to 16 years of age with all types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cystic fibrosis related diabetes
• Steroid induced diabetes
• Uncommon diabetes types such as maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY)

In 2019 the service were runners up in the national British Medical Journal Diabetes team of the year awards in competition with both children’s and adult diabetes teams across the UK.

How we look after children with diabetes

When a child or young person comes to us with diabetes they are usually admitted to Ward 3 at Sheffield Children’s Hospital for a period of intensive therapy and treatment to stabilise their condition as quickly as possible. As part of our newly diagnosed education pathway, families work with members of the diabetes team and ward staff to learn how to carbohydrate count meals.

After discharge patients receive a home visit by one of the nurses to check that all is going well. Families will attend our nursing office for a number of follow up dietetic appointments where a more intensive level of carbohydrate training is given.

We aim to offer an appointment for a diabetes clinic within two to three weeks of discharge.

Each patient is offered a three month diabetes clinic appointment where the management of the condition is reviewed.  At this appointment a routine blood test, Glycated Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is taken via finger prick test. The test gives an indication of how well-controlled the blood glucose has been over the previous three month period. This is helps the team offer the best advice about how to adjust treatment regimes.

Helping young people live healthy lives with diabetes

We offer a variety of education opportunities throughout the year where families can expand on their knowledge and share their experiences.  We also offer one to one sessions with patients according to their individual requirements.

Our families have access to our psychologist who can offer one off appointments or a series of meetings when needed.

Each year the team take 16 children to Edale Youth Hostel on an activity and education weekend. Apart from being lots of fun, this is also an opportunity for young people to meet others with diabetes and to share their experiences and knowledge.

Research study

Exploring young people’s experiences of living with a chronic health condition while attending a mainstream education setting: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis study. Please read the information forms and then click below to take part.

Click to take part at Research.sc