Diabetes Education Service

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough for the body’s needs.  

It can also develop when the insulin that the body makes does not work properly. This is called insulin resistance. This happens because some people’s bodies are not able to respond to the amount of insulin being made.  

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t usually appear in people until they are over 40. In South Asian or Black people, type 2 diabetes can start in people over the age of 25. However, people can have type 2 diabetes at any age. 

Type 2 diabetes is treated in different ways. One way is by making healthy food choices and being more active. Another way is with both diet and tablets. A third way is through diet, insulin injection and tablets.  

Type 2 diabetes is the more common type of diabetes. There are lots of people who have not been diagnosed yet.  

Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed successfully.  

People with diabetes can live long, healthy and happy lives. 

Watch this video to find out more about type 2 diabetes.

Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes 

• Being more tired.  
• Needing to go to the toilet more often, mostly at night to pass urine.  
• Being very thirsty and drinking more than usual. 
• Losing weight even though you’re not eating less or exercising more.  
• Having blurred eyesight.
• Genital itching or having a thrush infection that keeps coming back.
• Slow healing of cuts and wounds.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Erectile dysfunction (impotence in men/problems with sex).
• Repeated infections.
• Boils and abscesses.

Watch this video to find out more about common symptoms of diabetes and what causes them.

Nev is the Operational Lead for the Diabetes Education service. He also runs some of the X-PERT education programmes. His goal is to make sure everyone benefits from attending the programmes. These benefits include being able to understand and manage their diabetes better. The programme helps to show how this can happen through making some changes to their lifestyle. 

Llyn is an Administrator in the Diabetes Education Service. She used to work at the Florence Nightingale Community Hospital. In her role, she wants to make sure that information can be understood by everyone. She really enjoys talking to patients.

Sue R is a Registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator. She is passionate about helping people understand what type 2 diabetes is. She supports people with the steps they can take to control their diabetes and live a healthy life.

Tracy is the Diabetes Education Coordinator for the team. She also delivers some of the education sessions. She has worked within the NHS for 19 years. Tracy is passionate about making sure the service has a positive impact on people’s lives. She really enjoys supporting patients to manage their type 2 diabetes.

Sue L is an experienced retired Nurse. She has worked in healthcare in different settings all her life. She is also a qualified Adult Teacher. Sue has been delivering X-PERT programmes for almost 5 years. She is passionate about improving the lives of people living with type 2 diabetes.

Louise is a registered Pharmacy Technician and Diabetes Educator who has worked in the NHS for over 20 years. She enjoys joining people on their journey as they learn more about type 2 diabetes and celebrating and supporting the subsequent changes people make which can have a big impact on their lives.

Angela is an Administrator in the Diabetes Education Service. She has over ten years' experience within the NHS. She enjoys talking to patients and helping ensure they understand their health information. Angela helps patients to choose the right education programme for them.

Amanda has just finished training in the X-PERT Diabetes course to be a Diabetes Educator. She has worked in the NHS for the last 3 years. She is excited to start putting her knowledge to use so she can help patients manage their diabetes and live a healthier life.

Nighat is a Diabetes Educator who has been delivering Diabetes Education for the last 20 years. For the last 15 years, Nighat has been trained to deliver X-PERT Diabetes. Promoting self-management and educating patients is Nighat’s passion. Nighat really enjoys the role at DCHS.

Hollie is an Administrator in the Diabetes Education Service. In her role, Hollie contacts patients to let them know when they have their education sessions. She works with referrals from GPs and helps patients to have information about their education.

Jen is an administrator for the Diabetes Education Service. She has worked within the NHS for 13 years, mainly managing surgical waiting lists at the Royal Derby Hospital. In her role, Jen processes referrals and contacts patients to discuss education options. She is keen to support patients and ensure education is inclusive for all. 

Pauline is a semi-retired Diabetes Educator. She has worked for the NHS for over 40 years, previously as a Diabetes Specialist Nurse. She is passionate about structured education to support self-management of diabetes and patient empowerment.   

The stories shared are from patients who have been on one of our education courses. There are some written stories and some stories with videos.  

If you would like to share your story to inspire other people, please contact us.

“Nice to be in a group of likeminded people.” 

“Brilliant course, excellent trainer changed my lifestyle and given me knowledge.” 

“Extremely useful. The best information I have received in the last 11 years of being diabetic.” 

“Excellent host/presenter.  Very knowledgeable and presents in a brilliant easy manner.  Made everyone feel we could ask any questions at any point, without feeling we're holding things up :-)” 

“I found it a very valuable resource to understand diabetes & how to manage it.” 

“This programme has helped me understand what Diabetes is and how to be able to control my needs, knowing that there are people and organisations out there able to help when needed. Very good in all areas.” 

“This course has given me so much more confidence to manage my diabetes, I feel I have learnt so much. The book and videos were very easy to understand and follow and the course nights reinforced what I had learnt.” 

“Well put together course and material. Good support from admin and course runner.”