Resources

Diabetes UK

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, and 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.

Understanding Diabetes

Types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes 

Type 2 diabetes 

Gestational diabetes 

  • Gestational diabetes - an overview of gestational diabetes including causes, risk factors and symptoms.   

  • Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period - This NICE guideline covers managing diabetes and its complications in women who are planning pregnancy or are already pregnant. It aims to improve the diagnosis of gestational diabetes and help women with diabetes to self-manage their blood glucose levels before and during pregnancy. 

  • Gestational guide for diabetes  A free guide for people diagnosed with gestational diabetes. From advice on diet and getting active to checking blood sugars, managing hypos, getting the right emotional support and more.

  • Gestational diabetes leaflet A free leaflet explaining what gestational diabetes is and options for treatment and care. This information has been developed by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in collaboration with Diabetes UK.

Other types of diabetes

  • Steroid-induced diabetes – an overview of steroid-induced diabetes including causes, symptoms, risk factors and treatment.  

  • Cystic fibrosis diabetes – an overview of cystic fibrosis diabetes including causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and complications.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes

Symptoms of diabetes poster Help us raise vital awareness of the seven main symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Print or order to display this poster.

Diabetes risk factors

Diabetes research spotlights - Explore our research spotlights featuring our biggest and most exciting areas of research including type 1 diabetes. 

The NHS Health Check is for adults in England between the ages of 40 and 74. It is a programme to assess someone’s risk of diabetes as well as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.

The Diabetes Risk Score aims to predict an individual’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes within the next ten years. The Diabetes Risk Score can be used alongside the NHS Health Check programme.

The Healthier You Programme, a free NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme developed by expert nutritionists, diabetes researchers and doctors. Designed to help people to reduce or remove thier risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by making simple changes to their diet, physical activity levels and weight management.

Type 2 diabetes: prevention in people at high risk This NICE guideline covers how to identify adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes. It recommended that GPs and other primary healthcare professionals use the diabetes risk tool for identifying people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes UK Preventing type 2 diabetes An overview of how Diabetes UK is supporting people across the UK to find out their risk and take action to reduce it.

Diagnosing Diabetes

Definition and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and intermediate hyperglycaemia  WHO diagnostic criteria report 2006. 

Use of Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus This 2011 report is an addendum to the diagnostic criteria published in the 2006 WHO report 'Definition and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and intermediate hyperglycaemia', and addresses the use of HbA1c in diagnosing diabetes mellitus.

Leicester algorithm for using HbA1c in diagnosing diabetes or identifying people at high risk of diabetes Diabetes researchers at the University of Leicester have developed simple algorithms which provide practical stepwise advice on interpretation of HbA1c results and further care. 

Diabetes Diagnosis - type 1 NICE guidance on when should to suspect type 1 diabetes in an adult.

Diagnosis in adults Diabetes - type 2  NICE guidance on when should to suspect type 2 diabetes in an adult.

Diabetes UK Information Prescription_HbA1c An Information Prescription that can be personalised  with pieces of information which are easy to read, have clear images and have individual goals. They are designed to give people with diabetes the information that they need to understand, engage with and improve on their health targets.

Diabetes in children

Diagnosing diabetes in children and young people  Diabetes UK position statement developed through reviewing the relevant literature, reviewing current National Paediatric Diabetes Audit data and discussions with expert clinicians. 

Type 2 diabetes in children and young people Diabetes UK position statement developed through a review of the literature, a review of the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit and Scottish Diabetes Audit and consultation with medical, nursing and dietetic experts in the field of Type 2 diabetes in children and young people. 

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 maintain tight control of blood glucose to reduce the long-term risks associated with diabetes.

Dispelling myths

Diabetes myths and frequently asked questions aims to help dispel some of the most common myths about diabetes.

Enjoy Food - helping families with diabetes shop, cook and eat A simple guide to help people understand what a healthy, balanced diet is and support them to make the right choices for their diabetes. 

Moving more to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes An overview of how to support people to move more to help prevent type 2 diabetes.