Diabetes is a group of conditions characterised by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use the hormone insulin.
When you eat food, the body breaks down all the starches and sugars into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin prevents blood glucose levels from getting too high and controls the amount of energy the body can use from the food and from energy stores in the liver and muscle.
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
Develops when the insulin producing cells in the body have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin. Although Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age it usually occurs in childhood or before the age of 40. Treatment is with insulin, a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
Type 2 diabetes
The most common form of diabetes accounting for 85-95% of all diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes, either there is not enough insulin produced by the body to regulate the blood glucose levels, or the body is unable to use insulin properly (this is called ‘insulin resistance’).
Risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes include having a close family member with Type 2 diabetes, being overweight, central obesity, Gestational Diabetes (GDM), being of South Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent. The treatment for Type 2 diabetes focuses on diet and increased physical activity, with medication both to make the body produce more insulin and to be more sensitive to insulin. At least half of the people with Type 2 diabetes eventually need insulin to help control their diabetes.
Diabetes is a lifelong condition which requires care from a number of health professionals including doctors, nurses, podiatrists and dieticians. Our dedicated team all aspire to help patients with diabetes to help themselves. Guidance on self-management is provided through education at every contact with patients in a friendly environment.
Adult services
We offer a wide range of services, with clinics held at the diabetes centre’s at Scunthorpe and Grimsby hospitals and at the outpatient departments at Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole hospitals.
When you attend one of our clinics you may see our consultants, specialist diabetes nurses, podiatrists or dieticians. This is because our clinics deal with all aspects of diabetes management including glucose control, hypertension control, cholesterol control and obesity management. Renal complications of diabetes including proteinuria and diabetic chronic kidney disease are also managed as part of these clinics.
Conditions treated at diabetic clinics include:
- Foot complications including ulcers, peripheral neuropathy and charcot foot
- Insulin pump treatment
- Diabetes in pregnancy including endocrine and pre-conception clinics.
- We also offer an educational course for patients with type 1 diabetes
Where to find us
At Grimsby hospital the diabetes centre is located to the side of the outpatient department with access through the clinic area and an external entrance. At Scunthorpe hospital there is a separate building next to the car park at the main entrance on Church Lane. the centre is also linked to the main hospital by a covered outdoor walkway.
Endocrinology
We offer endocrine clinics covering all aspects of endocrinology, including:
- Thyroid disease (eg thyroid nodular disease, grave’s disease, hypothyroidism),
- Pituitary problems (eg acromegaly, cushing’s disease, prolactinomas and other pituitary tumours, short stature)
- Adrenal gland problems (eg adrenal nodules including incidentalomas, phaeochromocytoma, conn’s syndrome)
- Sexual problems (eg hypogonadism including erectile dysfunction, delayed puberty, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hirsutism)
- Metabolic problems (calcium related problems including primary hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency) and multiple endocrine neoplasias)
- Radioiodine treatment is offered to suitable patients with benign thyroid disease including thyrotoxicosis and subclinical thyrotoxicosis.
Contact us
The Diabetes Centre
Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital
03033 306539
The Diabetes centre
Scunthorpe General Hospital
03033 306542
Useful links
A useful resource with information about managing and monitoring your diabetes.
