Category: Latest News

Diabetes Health Checks (annual review) What To Expect

Loading

Diabetes health checks (annual review) What To Expect

Diabetes can cause other health problems that can become serious if not picked up and monitored or treated in the early stages. So regular diabetes health checks – sometimes called your yearly or annual review  –  are part of your routine NHS treatment. 

What diabetes health checks should I be getting?

As part of your annual review, these are the health checks you should be offered:

A blood test where enough blood is taken to be sent to the lab to check your:

You should be asked to provide a urine sample that is sent to the lab to check:

At the appointment you should also have:

  • A foot check which may be done safely once every two years if your last check showed no problems
  • Your weight and height measured to work out your Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Your blood pressure measured.

Your healthcare team will also ask if you smoke, so you can be offered help to stop.

It may not be at your annual review appointment, and is likely to be done by a different team, but you should also be invited to:

  • A diabetic eye check this is not the same as a sight test at the optician. Photos are taken of your eyes to see how diabetes is affecting them, as it can damage the blood vessels and cause an eye problem called diabetic retinopathy.If your last diabetic eye check was clear, it may be safely offered once every two years rather than once a year.

If you’ve been finding it hard to manage your blood sugar levels, be kind to yourself. Rather than being tempted to skip your health checks, see appointments as an opportunity to be as honest as you can with your healthcare team – and ask for help.

Early treatment can help prevent or lower your risk of serious health problems from high blood sugar levels. These include sight loss, toe or leg amputations, kidney disease, heart attack and stroke.

So it’s important to get all of your health checks. See below the most common diabetes heath checks people miss out on – and tips to make sure you get them.

Diabetes health checks people are more likely to miss out on  

People are less likely to have their urine check for kidney disease, eye check and foot check than the other diabetes health checks.

It can be difficult to access your annual review or diabetes health checks appointments – but as routine NHS care, it’s something that GPs and hospital teams should have set aside time for. So don’t feel guilty about chasing up appointments. They are there to help you and your team monitor how diabetes is affecting other parts of your body and help keep you healthy.

There are also other reasons why people may not get these health checks. Find out some of these reasons and see our tips to help you get these checks:

Providing a urine sample to check for kidney disease

Lots of people miss out on this check because providing a sample of your wee isn’t always easy.

You might be sent a bottle to wee into at home, or have to provide a sample on the day of the appointment. Some people find this stressful but also a bit messy. Equally, carrying around a urine sample all day if you’re going to work isn’t practical.

Tips to make providing a urine sample easier 

Ask the healthcare professional doing the check for flexibility. If you need something bigger to wee into or if you’d rather take the bottle home, do ask.

You should also make sure the lid is on safely and could try wrapping tissue around the sample bottle or putting it into sealed bag if you are worried about it spilling.

Sally, who has type 2 diabetes: “I don’t want to carry the urine sample around in my bag at work all day, so I do it at the surgery. I’ve started using the toilet they have upstairs so I don’t have to walk through the waiting room with it.”

Getting a diabetic eye check 

Lots of people miss out on this check because the diabetic eye check appointment is usually done at different clinic and not at your GP surgery or hospital.

So, you may feel uncomfortable seeing someone new, or having to travel to a place you don’t know.  Some people may also worry about the results of the eye check more than other tests.

You also won’t be able to drive after your appointment as you’re often given eye drops to help make the photo of your eyes clearer, which can make them blurry for a while afterwards.

But it is important to get this check to see if diabetes is affecting your eyes so you can get treatment to delay or prevent it affecting your sight.

Tips for making sure you get a diabetic eye check 

Remember that this isn’t a sight test, so you won’t have the expense of buying new glasses, if this is worrying you.

It’s important to think about how to get to and from your appointment especially as you won’t be able to drive afterwards. If the appointment is hard to get to by public transport, check with the eye check provider or GP if there are other clinics that may be easier to get to even if they’re further away.

And if you’re unsure about the check itself or going to a new place, ask a neighbour, friend or relative to go with you.

If you aren’t getting diabetic eye check appointments, you should contact your GP or hospital team. They can refer you to your nearest eye check service. If you are housebound, you should ask them how you can access these appointments in a way that’s accessible to you.

“Having my eyes checked prevented me losing my sight as problems with a build-up of fluid around my retina and issues with my blood vessels were caught early. I was able to get treatment before any lasting damage.

James Baillie, who has type 1 diabetes

Getting a foot check  

Sometimes there may not be enough time at your annual review appointment for a foot check to be done. And sometimes you may worry about your feet not being as clean or smelling as you’d like.

 

Tips for making sure your feet are checked

If there isn’t time for a foot check, do insist on a follow-up appointment. It isn’t enough for you to have checked them yourself.

If you’re worried about someone touching your feet remember the person checking your feet is a trained professional and has seen it all and they will not mind.

When you attend appointments, it can speed things up if you wear something that’s quick and easy to take off and put back on. So, for example wear socks instead of tights and shoes that are easy to remove.

“The GP asks if I’ve noticed any changes in my feet, if I say no, they don’t check them. So unlike the blood test results, I don’t feel confident that there aren’t any problems. I feel too embarrassed to ask if they can do a foot check,” John, who has type 2 diabetes.

Other possible reasons people may not get their diabetes health checks

Having to repeat the checks 

Sometimes it can be frustrating if you are asked to have the same checks at a hospital diabetes service and at your GPs.

To stop this happening, if your check-ups are done by your hospital team, you’ll need to ask your hospital team to send the information to your GP. And ask your GP to add any test results from the hospital to your records.

Fear of being judged 

If you don’t get on with your healthcare professional – or feel they judge you, then it can be difficult to attend your appointments. Ask if it is possible to see a different healthcare professional for your diabetes health checks. If that’s not possible, but your relationship with the person doing the checks is preventing you from going, then think about whether you want to change your GP practice.

Worry about starting medication  

The thought of having to start medication for diabetes can be worrying for some people, especially if they have read about the side effects. But there are now several different types of medications for type 2 diabetes so if you are having side effects or don’t like how the medication is making you feel, you should talk to your diabetes team about what medications may be best for you.

Prioritising other things above your health   

It can be hard to make time for your health checks, especially if you are not sure why they are important. Busy lives can mean you prioritise work, family or other life pressures. But we know that diabetes related health problems can come on quicker in younger people so it’s important to take time out to make sure your health is being looked after.

If you work, check your organisation’s policy on time off for medical appointments and managing long term health conditions.

What other diabetes care should I be getting? 

If you have diabetes, there is other NHS care available if you need or want it. There are also certain checks and appointments that you should have when you’re first diagnosed – see below.

We’ve also got lots of information about the NHS care to expect when you have gestational diabetes.

NHS care to expect when you’re first diagnosed 

Everyone living with diabetes should have certain checks and appointments when they’re first diagnosed with diabetes, to make sure you understand your condition and can live well with diabetes. If you didn’t have any of these when you were first diagnosed, speak to your healthcare team.

Everyone living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes should have:

  • A full assessment of your medical history, and anything going on in your personal life that might affect your diabetes.
  • A referral to a diabetes group education programme that works for you and your cultural background, or the same type of education in a one-to-one appointment if you prefer. This should be within a year of diagnosis if you live with type 1 diabetes.
  • Information about the medical exemption form for free prescriptions if you live in England. You don’t need this in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales as prescriptions are free for everyone.

Within six months of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you should have:

  • An individual diabetes management plan, discussed and agreed on with your healthcare team, that works for you and your cultural background, including your personal targets, contact details for your diabetes team and follow-up plans.
  • Detailed information on how to live well with type 1 diabetes including giving your insulin, counting carbohydrates, managing hypos, managing when you’re ill, physical activity, and DVLA requirements for driving.
  • A review with a dietitian.
  • Your antibodies measured to confirm your diagnosis if it’s not clear what type of diabetes you have.

When you’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you should have:

  • If it’s right for you, a discussion about weight management or weight loss and type 2 diabetes remission, which is when your average blood sugar levels are no longer in the range for diabetes and you don’t need medication.
  • A review of your emotional wellbeing and mental health needs.
  • A review of your medication.
  • A summary of your agreed diabetes management plan and when it should be reviewed again.

NHS care to expect if you need it 

There are some diabetes checks and appointments that you should have access to but not everyone will need. Speak to your healthcare team if you think you need any of this help but aren’t getting it.

Everyone with diabetes should have access to:

  • An HbA1c check every three to six months if you’re struggling to meet your targets.
  • The chance to meet and get support from other people living with diabetes.
  • Good quality care with access to diabetes specialists if you’re in hospital, including access to mental health support if needed.
  • Pre-pregnancy review if you’re planning to have a baby, and advice from specialists at least 12 weeks before stopping contraception.
  • Regular reviews at least every two weeks by the diabetes team during pregnancy.
  • Support with sexual health concerns.
  • A review of your emotional health and wellbeing needs.
  • A review and update of your management plan.
  • Appointments in a way that you prefer, whether that’s by phone or face to face, or reviewing your blood sugar levels with your healthcare team online, for example.
  • Specialists who can help you manage any diabetes complications.

Everyone living with type 1 diabetes should have access to:

  • A review of the diabetes knowledge you already have and would like to have,
  • Advice about your diet from a dietitian.
  • A thyroid function blood test.
  • A chat about diabetes technology offered locally that could help you. This includes continuous or flash glucose monitoring, which everyone should have access to if they would like it, or an insulin pump if you are not meeting your targets.
  • Support from specialists who can help you manage your medication and blood sugars around physical activity.

Everyone living with type 2 diabetes should have access to: 

  • Support to lose weight if you want or need to.
  • Advice on physical activity.
  • Technology to monitor your blood sugar levels, like a continuous glucose monitor, depending on certain criteria.

You will also have access to other NHS care that is still important for your diabetes management, like flu and Covid-19 vaccines, screening services for other conditions, help to give up smoking, weight management support, and dental care

Some areas offer other opportunities to improve your general health and diabetes wellbeing, like weight management, organised physical activity and active community groups. Ask your healthcare team what other support is available to you.

What if I’m not getting the NHS care I need? 

Sometimes it might be difficult to get the standard of care you should expect. If you don’t think you are getting the checks you should be, speak to your healthcare team. You could make a list of things from this page that you want to discuss with them, or order our free leaflet ‘What care to expect when you have diabetes’ to take along to your appointment.

If that doesn’t help, you may want to make a complaint. If you’re still not happy with the care you’re getting, you can ask for your diabetes care to happen at a different clinic or hospital. You can find out more by speaking to your healthcare team, or calling our helpline on 0345 123 2399.

Reference_ Diabetes UK – https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/looking-after-diabetes/care-to-expect

More Information

Health problems linked to diabetes (complications)

Why diabetes check-ups matter guide (available to download in 11 languages)

Guides to healthcare you should expect if you have type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes (English) – download from our shop

Tests for liver function and liver scarring (fatty liver disease)

Diabetes, gum disease and dental check-ups

Screening for coeliac disease (if you have type 1 diabetes)

Metformin and Vitamin B12 blood test

Get support and advice from our helpline

Thumbnail

Keep track of your diabetes health checks

Get a personal record of checks you’ve had and still need with our Diabetes Health Checks Planner on Learning Zone. Sign up first if you don’t have an account.

Go to our Learning Zone- Diabetes UK

Get a copy of this document here- https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6v5m8m5rlacy3dne4bdav/Diabetes-health-checks.docx?rlkey=s1rsl82o8a4dxyq1xr3a7zwvz&st=gflh329q&dl=0

Or here- Diabetes health checks

Exercise and Physical Activity: Healthy Living

Exercise and Physical Activity: Healthy Living

Courtesy of MyWay Diabetes Greater Manchester https://diabetesmyway.nhs.uk/ September 2025.

 Contents
  • The benefits of activity and exercise
  • Current recommendations
  • Different types of exercise
  • How to be more active throughout the day
  • Useful resources

The benefits of activity and exercise

Frequent and regular physical activity is recommended for people of all ages and can have the following health benefits:

  • It burns calories, helping you lose or maintain weight.
  • It lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.
  • It improves circulation.
  • It reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • It strengthens muscles and bones.
  • It promotes better mental health.
  • It boosts self-esteem and confidence.
  • It enhances sleep quality.
  • It increases energy levels.
  • It protects against dementia and Alzheimer’s.

For people with diabetes, there are two other important benefits of regular physical activity:

  • It increases the amount of glucose used by the muscles for energy.
  • It helps the body to use insulin better.

Because of this, exercise can impact on blood glucose control. The extent of this impact will vary depending on the type of diabetes you have, how you manage it, the type and duration of the physical activity and whether you have any diabetes-related complications.

It is always beneficial to discuss any planned changes to your activity levels with your diabetes care team, who will be able to help you develop an appropriate blood glucose management plan suited to your individual needs.

Current recommendations

Adults (aged 18–64)

To stay healthy, adults aged 18–64 should try to be active daily. They should do the following:

  • At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week, and
  • Strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms)

Alternatively

  • 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity such as running or a game of singles tennis every week, and
  • Strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms)

Alternatively

  • A mix of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity every week. For example, two 30-minute runs plus 30 minutes of fast walking equates to 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, and
  • Strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).

Adults (aged 65 +)

Adults aged 65 or older who are generally fit and have no health conditions that limit their mobility should try to be active daily. They should do the following:

  • At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or walking every week, and
  • Strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).

Alternatively

  • 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity such as running or a game of singles tennis every week, and
  • Strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).

Alternatively

  • A mix of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity every week. For example, two 30-minute runs, plus 30 minutes of fast walking, equates to 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, and
  • Strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).

All adults should minimise the amount of time spent sitting for extended periods.

Different types of exercise

As the guidelines above outline, there are two types of activity that are important in managing diabetes: aerobic exercise and strength training.

Aerobic exercise

Aerobic exercise (also sometimes known as ‘cardio’) is an exercise that increases your heart rate. This type of exercise helps your body use insulin better. It also helps to strengthen your heart and bones and improves your blood circulation. It lowers your blood glucose levels and blood pressure, while improving your cholesterol levels, and therefore also reduces your risk of heart disease.

Examples of aerobic activities

  • Brisk walking (outside or on a treadmill)
  • Cycling (outside or on a stationary bike)
  • Dancing
  • Aerobics or other gym classes such as Zumba or circuits
  • Climbing stairs
  • Jogging or running
  • Moderate to heavy gardening

Strength training

This type of exercise can also make your body more sensitive to insulin and can lower blood glucose. It helps to maintain strong muscles and bones, reducing your risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even when your body is at rest. Preventing muscle loss by strength training is key to continuing to be able to live independently as you age.

Examples of strength-training activities

  • Weight machines or free weights
  • Resistance bands
  • Lifting light weights or items such as tins of food or water bottles
  • Exercises that use your own bodyweight to work your muscles, e.g. press-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, planks
  • Other activities that build and keep muscle, e.g. heavy gardening

How to be more active throughout the day

All adults, but particularly those with type 2 diabetes, should minimise the amount of time they spend being sedentary for extended periods. It is important to take every opportunity to get up and move around.

In addition to taking formal exercise, there are many chances to be more active throughout the day. If you spend prolonged periods of time sitting, you should make a point of interrupting these with bouts of light activity every 30 minutes. The more you move, the more calories you burn off and the easier it can be to control your blood glucose levels. Listed below are some simple strategies that can help you be more active in your daily life:

  • At work
  • Take the stairs instead of the lift.
  • Get up from your desk and have a quick walk around every half-hour.
  • Stand up and stretch at your desk.
  • If you go out for lunch, take the opportunity to have a walk.
  • If you take the train or bus to work, get off a stop earlier.
  • Try some chair exercises while at your desk.

At home

  • Take the dog for a walk – if you already do this, walk faster or take a long walk.
  • Play with the kids – play football or throw a Frisbee around the park.
  • Carry things from the car or upstairs in two or three trips, rather than one.
  • Do your own housework/gardening.
  • Walk on the spot during TV ad breaks.
  • Walk around the house, or up and down the stairs, when you talk on the phone.

Out and about

  • Park as far away as you can from the shops.
  • Walk down every aisle in the supermarket.

Why not try to introduce some of these ideas for a brief period (5–15 minutes) after a meal. It will help to minimise the impact of food on your blood glucose levels.

Reducing the amount of time spent sitting by incorporating some of the above into your daily routine can help with both weight management and diabetes control.

Useful resources

For more information and support on exercising, see Physical Activity: the Impact on Blood Glucose

The NHS Get Active Your Way is a good place to start if you’re looking to increase your physical activity levels.

For additional information relating to physical activity guidelines:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults-aged-19-to-64/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-older-adults/

Physical activity for adults and older adults (publishing.service.gov.uk)

LATEST DIABETES NEWS IN THE UK- August 2025

Loading

LATEST DIABETES NEWS IN THE UK

Here are the major new developments in diabetes in the UK as of August 2025:

Summary Table

Area What’s New (2025)
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Early use of SGLT-2 inhibitors, personalised drug matching tool
Type 1 Diabetes First UK approval of immunotherapy drug teplizumab
Guidelines Focus on personalised plans and prevention/remission strategies
Technology Advances in glucose monitoring and gene therapy research

These innovations represent a dramatic step forward for diabetes care in the UK, focusing on personalisation, prevention, and early intervention for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.exeterbrc.nihr+6

Here’s the detail:-

  1. Major Update in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Guidelines
  • The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced the biggest shake-up in type 2 diabetes care in a decade (August 2025).
  • The new draft guidelines move away from a “one-size-fits-all” model. Instead of automatically starting everyone on the same first-line medicine, doctors are now encouraged to provide personalised treatment plans that take into account individual risk factors and co-existing conditions.
  • Access to newer diabetes medicines called SGLT-2 inhibitors (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, ertugliflozin) has shifted: they can now be used as first-choice treatments, rather than only after other drugs fail. These medicines not only lower blood sugar but also protect the heart and kidneys.
  • For patients unable to take metformin, guidelines recommend starting directly with an SGLT-2 inhibitor.nice+2
  1. Precision Medicine: Personalised Drug Matching Tool
  • Researchers have developed a groundbreaking, low-cost tool using routine clinical measures (like sex, weight, standard blood tests) to predict which glucose-lowering drug will be most effective for each person with type 2 diabetes. This precision medicine model means people are more likely to get the right medication from the start, improving outcomes and potentially reducing complications and NHS costs.ukri+2
  • This tool is ready for immediate rollout in clinics and is based on data from over 1 million people with type 2 diabetes in the UK.news.exeter+1
  1. First Immunotherapy Approved for Type 1 Diabetes: Teplizumab
  • The first immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes, teplizumab (Tzield), has been approved in the UK.
  • Teplizumab is designed to delay the progression of type 1 diabetes in people (aged 8+) who are at high risk but before they develop symptoms. It works by slowing immune attack on insulin-making cells, potentially delaying the need for insulin by around three years on average.diabetes+2
  • The first adult in the UK began treatment with teplizumab in July 2025, marking a milestone for type 1 diabetes care. However, it is not yet routinely available on the NHS.royaldevon+1
  1. New Prevention and Remission Guidelines
  • Updated Scottish guidance (SIGN, March 2025) sets out best practices for prevention, early detection, and non-drug management of people at risk of type 2 diabetes, including those with prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, or prior gestational diabetes.
  1. Technology and Gene Therapy Research

Diabetes UK is funding research into advanced glucose monitoring technologies and gene therapies aimed at both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with promising early results in trials.diabetes+1

Patient Insights Needed. People Living with Type 2 Diabetes Aged 18-39

Loading

Patient insights needed. People living with Type 2 diabetes aged 18-39.
Fran Taylor- Health Improvement Practitioner
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Diabetes Care For You needs help:-
Fran writes “We are looking for people aged 18-39 living with Type 2 diabetes to share their experiences of early onset Type 2 diabetes. We are working on a project, which aims to improve support for younger adults (18-39) with early onset Type 2 Diabetes (EOT2D). To do this, we’re inviting patients to share their experiences in focus groups to help us enhance the information and care provided.
Participants will be rewarded with a £40 gift voucher.”
If you are interested please contact Fran on:-
Frances.Taylor21@nhs.net
Mob: 07483 969207