Service overview
We are the Specialist Diabetes Service working across East and West Berkshire.
Our East and West Berkshire Diabetes Services are separate, but we work together and alongside GPs, Practice Nurses, Community Nursing Teams, and Acute Hospital Teams.
You can ask your GP or contact us if you're not sure which service is for you.
We can provide support if you're an adult living with diabetes, including:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Complex Type 2 diabetes
- Diabetes in pregnancy or planning pregnancy
East Berkshire
We are a team of Consultants, Specialist Nurses, Specialist Dietitians, and Administrators at the Diabetes Centre at King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor.
We offer services such as:
- Insulin pump education and clinics
- Type 1 diabetes clinics
- Complex 2 diabetes / other diabetes clinics
- Young adult clinics
- Planning pregnancy clinics
- Insulin optimisation education
- Carbohydrate counting education
We provide clinic appointments and group education sessions in Windsor, Bracknell, and Slough.
Your appointment location will depend on the type of clinic or education required.
West Berkshire
We are a community team of Specialist Nurses, Specialist Dietitians, and an Administrator, at Wokingham Community Hospital.
We work together with GPs and healthcare professionals to build your skills in managing your diabetes.
We do this face-to-face, via video call or telephone, and we may offer home visits where appropriate.
A separate consultant-led Diabetes Service at Melrose House, Royal Berkshire Hospital also provide diabetes care, including support for people with Type 1 diabetes using insulin pumps.
The Community Diabetes Specialist team are not connected with this service and cannot see people who are already receiving care from this service.
Accessing our service
You can be referred to us by your GP, Consultant, or Registered Healthcare Professional.
Unfortunately we can't accept self-referrals.
East Berkshire
We accept referrals from GPs or Healthcare Professionals in East Berkshire.
You must be aged 18 or over, and meet one of the following criteria:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Planning a pregnancy
- Type 2 diabetes with an HbA1c > 58 mmol/mol despite maximum oral medication
- Type 2 diabetes on insulin who are experiencing hypoglycaemia
West Berkshire
We accept referrals from GPs or Healthcare Professionals in West Berkshire.
You must be aged 25 or over, and not currently receiving care from another diabetes specialist service.
Preparing for an assessment
To make the most of your appointment, please think about what you would like to achieve.
Remember to also bring:
- your blood glucose readings or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) download
- a list of your current medication
- pump data if you use an insulin pump
You are welcome to bring someone with you to your appointment.
Clinic appointments last 30 to 40 minutes, and group education sessions last up to 3 hours.
Diabetes education
Looking after your health is the key to living well with diabetes.
Both our east and west services offer high-quality, accredited education programmes:
- For Type 1 diabetes: CHOICE and modular education sessions are available
- For Type 2 diabetes: XPERT and DEAL programmes, provided in community venues across the county
These courses are designed to help you understand your condition, feel empowered, and make positive changes to manage your health.
Ask your GP for more information and to refer you.
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
Contact us to book your appointment or to find out more if you have any questions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see the same clinician?
We always aim to arrange the appointments with same clinician when possible.
Who will provide me with my prescription?
Please contact your GP for your repeat prescriptions and remember to order them in advance.
Can you help with a problem I have with my foot?
There is no podiatry service within Diabetes Centre.
Please contact your GP or the diabetes clinician to make a referral if you are worried about your foot.
I can no longer attend my appointment
Attending your clinic appointment is important.
If you are unable to come, please contact us to cancel or rearrange your appointment as soon as possible.
What happens if I miss my appointment?
If you miss your appointment, your GP will be notified, and you may be discharged from the service.
Cancelling two appointments may result in you being discharged back to your GP.
When will I receive my clinical letter?
Your clinic letter may take up to 14 days (2 weeks) to arrive by post after your appointment.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member, carer, or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- Telephone interpreting
- Video remote interpreting (VRI)
- Face‑to‑face interpreting
- Written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to get information in a format that meets their needs.
The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers. This means making sure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand our information and communicate with us easily.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Large print
- Braille
- Audio
- Easy read
- Text message
- Face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
What does it mean to treat our team with respect?
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This may include contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
How do I find my NHS number?
The easiest way to find your NHS number is using the official NHS online service which can be accessed below.
You may also want to read our guidance page for more information about other ways to find your NHS number or what to do if you cannot find yours.
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Product information
If you would like further information about continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, or need support with product issues, you can contact the manufacturer directly. For details on the most popular devices, press Learn More to access their websites and telephone numbers.