There is a range of information to support you to live well with diabetes. Find a selection of tools and resources hand-picked by our local health and care professionals.
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK offers a large range of information to help you live well with your condition including:
- eating healthily as well as recipes
- advice about driving
- emotional wellbeing
- treatments.
You may have noticed that your diabetes care looks a bit different as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. You need certain health checks when you have diabetes – also called your annual review – read about what care to expect.
Free diabetes check
You are entitled to free diabetes checks every year – also known as the 15 health care essentials
When you have diabetes, you’re entitled to certain checks, tests and services every year such as eye screening and foot checks. These will help you manage your diabetes and they’re all free – read about the diabetes checks you should get on the Diabetes UK website, or take this handy 15 healthcare essentials check list to your GP.
When you are eligible for diabetic eye screening, you will receive an invitation by letter with a list of screening locations close to your postcode so you can choose where the screening will be carried out. You can also see this list online, and read more about your eye screening appointment.
Looking after your feet
Diabetes can increase the risk of foot complications. It is important people with diabetes are aware of the risks and know when to seek advice or get assessed by a podiatrist or urgent care facility.
- new open wound
- foot injury
- discharge or smell from a wound
- pain throbbing or soreness
- red, hot, swollen, or painful, with or without a wound
- changes in foot shape or colour
- any of the above and flu-like symptoms.
If you develop any of these danger signs and symptoms please act now and contact the diabetic foot team immediately. You can also contact your GP practice, urgent care centre or accident and emergency department, explaining you have diabetic foot problem and are at risk of serious foot complications. If you notice a wound, please dress with a sterile dry dressing and try to keep weight off the area until seen by a health professional.
Contact your local diabetic foot team
For any urgent foot problems, please contact your local diabetic foot team. You can find their details on your footcare card which was provided at your diabetes checkup at your GP practice, or see below:
| Area | Call | |
|---|---|---|
| Dudley | 01384 244594 | dudley. |
| Sandwell | 0121 507 4104 | swb-tr. |
| Walsall | 01922 270382 | diabetesfeet. |
| Wolverhampton | 01902 695310 | rwh-tr. |
- always initiate non-weight bearing/offloading
- swab wound (if present): deep wound swab ideally with some tissue, post debridement
- order X-ray (weight bearing X-ray if Charcot suspected) initiate wound management
- administer antibiotics according to foot clinic protocol
- alert vascular team if arterial insufficiency suspected
- achieve optimal glucose levels.
Gain advice from and make an urgent referral to the diabetes foot specialist team within 24 hours.
Differential diagnosis
- Charcot
- Fracture or Sprain
- Osteomyelitis or
- Cellulitis
- Gout
- Ulcer
- Severe Neuropathy
- Critical Ischemia or
- Gangrene
If you experience any other foot problems, such as:
- ingrowing toenail (for removal)
- rheumatoid arthritis with foot pain
- foot wounds and ulcers
- nails, callus, corns
- foot pain whilst walking/standing
- neurological conditions
- leg/foot circulation problems
Please complete the self-referral form for the area in which your GP practice is based:
- Dudley - form coming soon
- Sandwell - form coming soon
- Wolverhampton - form coming soon
- Walsall - complete this online self-referral form or contact the Podiatry Team on 01922 270380 or feet.
walsall for support@nhs.net
- Touch the toes test
- Diabetes and looking after your feet information leaflet from Diabetes UK
- Looking after your feet when you have diabetes - download the leaflet from trend diabetes
Support for people with diabetes and mental health conditions
It offers online support to people struggling with mild anxiety or depression and can also be supported by and NHS therapist who will follow your progress and provide regular support and guidance through messaging in the programme or by telephone calls along the way.
If you are experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety or low mood and would like to try online support you can self refer to SilverCloud online therapy programme.
You can find out more about Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Talking Therapy and Healthy Minds service by visiting: www.
NHS Digital Weight Management programme
If you are living with obesity and also have diabetes or high blood pressure, or both, you could benefit from the 12-week programme. It can help you develop healthier eating habits, be more active and lose weight. The programme is available on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
You can read more about the programme in this leaflet from the NHS England website.
Speak to your GP surgery to find out how the programme could benefit you.
If you do not have diabetes or high blood pressure, you may still benefit from the NHS Better Health programme.
