Resources

Diabetes UK have a wide range of resources and services to support people living with diabetes and  healthcare professionals: 

• Local Support Groups  provide an opportunity for people with diabetes to access local diabetes peer support.
• Our Support Forum is a space where people with diabetes, their families and carers, can exchange knowledge and experiences online.
• Learning Zone, is an award-winning, interactive tool to help educate and support people with diabetes. Combining evidence-based medical advice with real patient experiences, it delivers a unique learning experience that complements structured diabetes education. Clinically approved and endorsed by experts – you can log in as a healthcare professional to see what your patients will see.   

• Our Online Shop which includes free resources for people living with diabetes and healthcare professionals. 

• For further information and support, your patients can get in touch with the Diabetes UK helpline: 
  • Telephone: 0345 123 2399, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm 
  • Email: helpline@diabetes.org.uk 
  • If you're in Scotland: 
  • Telephone: 0141 212 8710, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.  
  • Email: helpline.scotland@diabetes.org.uk 

Keep reading this page for different resources from Diabetes UK, and other organisations, that are applicable to the different topics covered in the Understanding Diabetes Module.

Technology and diabetes - Our diabetes technology hub, giving you all the information you need on diabetes technology

What is diabetes technology? - An overview of the different types of diabetes technology available. 

Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) -Explains all about CGM technologies, including an overview of what’s available, accompanying tech, pros and cons, and access.   

Insulin pumps - Explains the different types of pumps, how to access them, and pros and cons. 

Closed loop systems - Overview of how closed loop systems work and the current systems available, including how to access them and their benefits and downsides. 

Smart insulin pens - Explains what smart pens are, how they work,  how they affect diabetes management and which apps are compatible. 

The ABCD Diabetes Technology Network - An organisation supporting healthcare professionals supporting people to use diabetes technology, including free educational resources and best practice guides. 

DSN Forum – HCP resources - Helpful resources for healthcare professionals working in diabetes care from the DSN Forum, including information and guidance on insulin pumps and technology. 

Commissioning recommendations for blood glucose and ketone meters, testing strips and lancets from NHS England. 

Making a decision about managing type 1 diabetes - Patient decision aid from NHS England to support people with type 1 diabetes to choose the right diabetes technology for them.

Travelling with diabetes - Advice on travelling with diabetes, including flying with an insulin pump, CGM or Freestyle Libre.

Driving with diabetes - Advice on driving when you have diabetes, including checking blood sugars with a CGM or Freestyle Libre. 

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - Information on DKA including causes, symptoms, and treatments. 

Getting a free CGM, flash glucose monitor (Freestyle Libre) or insulin pump on the NHS – who should qualify? -  Advice and information on accessing diabetes technology through the NHS. 

Diabetes tech can’t wait - Our postcode look-up tool that allows you to check access to tech in your area and see how it compares to the rest of the country.

Diabetes Tech Can't Wait – FAQ - Frequently assed questions about our Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait campaign. 

See below for links to national guidelines relating to access to diabetes technology for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes - an overview of type 1 diabetes including causes, management and treatment.  

NICE Guideline - Type 1 diabetes in adults: diagnosis and management -This guideline covers care and treatment for adults with type 1 diabetes. It includes advice on diagnosis, education and support, blood glucose management, cardiovascular risk, and identifying and managing long-term complications. 

SIGN Scotland - Optimising glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes - A decision-support toolkit from SIGN (Scotland) to help healthcare professionals support people with type 1 diabetes to improve their blood glucose control, including use of glucose lowering or glucose monitoring technologies.

SHTG Scotland - Closed loop systems and the artificial pancreas for type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) - Recommendations for NHS Scotland on access to hybrid closed loop systems for people with type 1 diabetes. 

NICE guidelines - Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for the treatment of diabetes mellitus –NICE guidelines for the use of insulin pumps in people with diabetes. 

NICE guidance - Hybrid closed loop systems for managing blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes – NICE guidelines for the use of hybrid closed loop systems for people with type 1 diabetes. 

Type 2 diabetes - an overview of type 2 diabetes including causes, management and treatment. 

NICE Guideline - Type 2 diabetes in adults: management - his guideline covers care and management for adults with type 2 diabetes. It focuses on patient education, dietary advice, managing cardiovascular risk, managing blood glucose levels, and identifying and managing long-term complications.

Your guide to type 2 diabetes - A free guide for people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes covering treatment, diet, healthy living and care.

NICE guidelines - Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for the treatment of diabetes mellitus – NICE guidelines for the use of insulin pumps in people with diabetes. 

Diabetes (type 1 and type 2) in children and young people: diagnosis and management - NICE guidelines covering the diagnosis and management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children. The guideline recommends how to support children and young people and their families and carers to manage blood glucose levels to reduce the long-term risks associated with diabetes.

For recommendations and guidance on technology for children and young people, please see the type 1 and type 2 diabetes sections above.