"Comment on opinion about diabetes care in York"

I have, at last come into the modern era and "gone on line". In the York Press was a letter from Dr Paul Hodgkin that reminded me about this site. I am Chair of the local Diabetes UK Group and am most concerned to read the opinion sent by the parent of a 15 year old boy, about his appointment at the Diabetes Centre. I understand the young man's parent's concern. It will certainly not encourage him to carry on attending appointments that could prove vital in preventing complications of diabetes. About the 3 appointments all at the same time, it seems to be a Trust wide policy for this to happen (I work in Audiology and the ENT appointments seem to follow the same pattern). I realise that this fact will not make the patient and his family feel any better. But it may be something that the Centre cannot control. I noticed that the appointment was 5pm and I know that the Centre runs the adolescent clinic after school to try to prevent patient's losing valuable school time. Time spent at GPs is obviously also out of the Centre's control. I don't know but perhaps if this parent mentions this fact to the Consultant at the Centre there may be a solution to getting blood tests done out of school hours. I agree that seeing staff chatting whilst an appointment time is not being met is one of the most aggravating things about hospital visits and that the suggestions made by this parent, would alleviate feelings of frustration. My daughter was diagnosed at the age of two and is now 26. Two years ago, the beginnings of retinopathy were discovered by her attending her annual review appointments. Thank God. So anything that can be done to make sure young people continue to attend clinic appointments must be carried out. I am interested in hearing (or reading) the response from the Diabetes Team at York.