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University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Young people's diabetes service (YPDS)

Patient newsletters

Please click on the links below to read the most recent newsletters:

Autumn 2025

 

Young people's diabetes service (YPDS)

Useful links and websites

This page is currently being built

Young people's diabetes service (YPDS)

How to get in touch….

Emergency

You must go to the Emergency Department if you think you have diabetic ketoacidosis.

High blood glucose values (14mmols or higher) AND moderate to high blood ketones (greater than 1.5 mmols/l). If needed call an ambulance on 999.

Do not drive yourself to hospital.


Urgent

Monday- Friday during office hours:

07771 577535 or 0300 019 8759


Out of hours

18 years or under

Call 01202 665511.

Ask switchboard to page the Children’s Diabetes Team. A member of that team will call you back.

 

19 years or older

Call 111 or out of hours GP


Routine

Monday-Friday during office hours:

0300 019 8759

(also use this number for appointment details, amendments etc)

Text 07771 577535

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Young people's diabetes service (YPDS)

Patient education (YPDS)

As a service we are committed to providing you with opportunities to build on your diabetes knowledge, skills and confidence so you can successfully manage your diabetes.

Research shows that people who attend diabetes education feel more confident about looking after their condition and are less likely to suffer complications in the future.

You will be asked at your clinic visits if you feel you need specific education and discuss this with you. We can arrange one to one or group learning opportunities or direct you to great online resources.

We have structured education for you if you are newly diagnosed (you’ll be automatically invited for this), if you are starting on an insulin pump or if you think you want a general refresher. Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you think you would be interested in any of the above.

Young people's diabetes service (YPDS)

What we offer..

Clinics

Our clinics are here to help you with managing your diabetes.

We want to hear about YOU in clinic, not just your diabetes. We want to help you live the life you want while managing your diabetes. Topics often discussed are:

  • Sensors
  • Pumps
  • Alcohol
  • Driving
  • Travel
  • Travel

Our clinics are on Mondays at the Poole site and Thursdays at the Royal Bournemouth site.


Nursing and dietetic support

Our nurses and dietitian have clinics to help you reach your goals.
They can offer practical support around:

  • Sick day rules
  • Carbohydrate counting
  • Weight management
  • Exercise and more!

They can also do letters for benefits, studying away from home, and travel as needed.

We have experts in our team that offer one-to-one work with young people.


Diabetes treatment options

The team will help to find the right diabetes treatment for you.

Thinking about a pump? The YPDS has the info to help you decide if it is right for you.


Supporting your mental health

It’s really important to look after your mental health.

You can talk to anyone in the team about how you’ve been feeling. This could be how diabetes is affecting you or anything that has been troubling you that you would like to discuss, diabetes related or not.

You may just need a bit of extra help or someone to talk to. There are services we can tell you about that could help.

We have experts in our team that offer one-to-one work with young people.


Diabetes education

Learning about diabetes really helps you take care of it well.

If you are newly diagnosed, it is important to learn to manage your diabetes. To help you with this, we offer a programme called Living with Diabetes. It will give you the tools and knowledge to manage your diabetes.

Maybe you feel you need a refresher, or want to get back on track. Our BERTIE programme can help with this. The programme helps you reach your goals. This may be adjusting insulin to fit your lifestyle. It also offers advice on staying healthy.

 Group learning may not be your thing! That's ok, we have lots of
options. We can do online, social media, or college visits. We also have one-to-one learning with the team.

You’ll also get advice from the team every time you come in.
Check out the handy page in this booklet for useful websites to visit.

We have experts in our team that offer one-to-one work with young people.


How many appointments can you expect?

We will offer you at least four appointments a year.

At one of these appointments you will have your annual review. We will give your health a full check over. There is more detail about this on the next page.

Between annual reviews, you will also have three monthly checks with the team. We will ask how you would prefer your appointments. This might be in person, by video, or by phone. We will try to offer what works best for you. Sometimes the team may need to see you in person.

Any other appointments…

We might need to see you in between these appointments. If we do we will let you know. There are details on the back if you need to talk to the team.

Other things to think about...

Before each in person appointment, we will ask to check your:

  • Height

  • Weight

  • HbA1c

These help us make sure you're getting the best care and the right treatment. If any of these checks are difficult for you, let us know. We will find the best way to support you.


How your annual review will work.

We want to make sure you get the best care every year. To do this, we follow the advised 9 care processes.

These help us spot any early signs of possible problems. This also us offer you the right support.


Why is this important?

By following these checks, this process can help:

  • Us be clearer on ways we can help you

  • With your wellbeing and mental health

  • Lower the chance of hospital admissions


 What can you do?

  • Talk with the team about the 9 care processes.

  • Attend your annual review appointments

  • Talk to the team if you’re worried about your diabetes

 

 

Process

What is this for?

1

Blood Glucose (HbA1c) test

This shows how your blood sugar has been over the last 2–3 months.

We can see if we can do anything to support you with your diabetes.

2

3

4

· Blood pressure

· Bloods

· Smoking

Check-up on things that can affect your heart.

5

6

7

· Urine test

· Foot check 

· Eye Screening

These checks are to look for any early signs of problems. We can discuss possible treatment options.

(A service outside the hospital will do your eye screening)

8

Body Mass Index (BMI)  (done through weight and height)

We expect you to grow and change as a young person. To help us measure changes we use your BMI. This is to measure how your weight compares to your height.

9

Emotional wellbeing/diabetes education

Your wellbeing and knowledge of diabetes is just as important as your health


Coming from the children’s team?

Some of you will be leaving the children’s team to join us. It is normal to have mixed feelings about this. It can be scary to leave a team who know you well. Maybe it can be a chance for a clean slate? Whatever you are feeling, you can talk to us about it.

Your parents might join appointments when you first see us. As we support you to build confidence, this may change.

Posters in clinic help show the difference between all the different teams!


Moving on to adult services...

Everyone will be ready to move to adult services at different times. The team will talk with you about moving when you’re ready. We will give you a booklet like this one. This will have all of the details when you are ready.

This move is very personal and depends on a number of things. This may be how confident you are in managing your diabetes. It can be how you are feeling, or your personal needs.

We work closely with the adult service. Even after you move, you can still contact us if you need help.


The practical bits…

Please connect to our cloud based software before clinic. That way we can share your readings:

  • Our Dexcom clinic code is UHD24Dexcom
  • Our Glooko clinic code is ukroybour
  • Our LibreView practice codes are: Bournemouth 04219661
    Poole 15654193

Ask your GP for a prescription exemption certificate form and send it in. They may ask you to pay for your prescriptions if you don’t have it.


How does the team contact me?

  • You will get appointment letters for clinics.
  • You’ll also get text reminders before your appointment. You can reschedule if needed.
  • We may text or email you with details and updates.
  • We also send the YPDS newsletter every three months.

If you don’t want texts or emails from us, please send us an email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


How do I contact the team?

All of our contact details are here. Please reach out to us, after all, that’s what we are here for...

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