Clinic appointments at St James's University Hospital

Children

The children's clinics are held in the Children's Outpatient Department in the Chancellor Wing on a Thursday morning.  This clinic is for children under 12 years of age.

At the clinic you will see either Dr F Campbell or her Senior Registrar.  You will see Carole, Jane, Carol or Caroline as well as Frances.  You will have your height, weight and blood pressure measured at each visit. 

The HbA1c test will be performed which requires a finger prick blood sample to be taken in clinic (you can bring your own finger prick device if you prefer).  We aim to help you to achieve a HbA1c of 7.5%.  We can then use this result to discuss and agree any changes that may need to be made.

You will routinely receive 4 appointments each year.  One of them will be an Annual Review where you will be asked to provide a urine specimen and a blood specimen to screen for coeliac disease or thyroid conditions and to check other blood levels (e.g. cholesterol).  This will be discussed with you first.

If you are unable to attend any of your appointments, please telephone 0113 2065808 if you attend Chancellor Wing or 0113 2065066 if you attend Manny Cussins, you will then be offered an alternative appointment.

Adolescents

When you are around 12 years of age, you will be transferred to the Adolescent Clinic.  This is held in the Manny Cousins Diabetes Centre in Beckett Wing at St James's University Hospital on the first, third and fifth Wednesday morning of each month.  When you are around 15 years of age you will change to Wednesday afternoons.  This clinic is jointly held by Dr F Campbell and Dr M Mansfield on the first Wednesday of the month.

You will meet the staff at Manny Cousins Diabetes Centre, but continue to see the Children's Diabetes Team.  You will have the option to Dr F Campbell and Dr M Mansfield on your own, before your parents are invited in.  This is to encourage independence and allow privacy.

You will be seen at least every 3 months, but we may ask you to attend more frequently.  Adolescence is a difficult time and the effects of Growth Hormone mean that it is difficult to achieve good control of blood glucose.  You will need to increase your insulin dose quite often whilst you are growing rapidly.  The Receptionist will make your next appointment as you are leaving.

It is very important not to start smoking, as the combination of diabetes and smoking leads to an increase in the risk of heart disease.  We are registered Smoking Cessation Advisors with the Leeds Smoking Services and can advise people with diabetes who do smoke.  We will discuss alcohol, drugs and sex with you and can advise on careers, driving, leaving home etc.  You can also look these subjects up on the Teenage Web site.

You will be screed for any early signs of complications of diabetes by having your urine, blood pressure and eyes checked.  We do not expect to find any problems, but if any are found, the right treatment can begin straightaway.

Young Adults

When you are about 18 years of age, you will be transferred to the Young Adult Diabetes Clinic held by Dr Mansfield and Dr Gilbey on a Monday.

Because you are now an adult, you are responsible for your own diabetes management.  If you cannot attend an appointment, you must telephone to rearrange it.  If you fail to attend your clinic appointment, you will be discharged and will need to be referred from your GP if you wish to be seen again.