Service overview
We are a Specialist Diabetes Service working across East and West Berkshire, providing support and advice for adults with:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Complex Type 2 diabetes
- Diabetes in pregnancy or planning pregnancy
Although the East and West Berkshire Diabetes Services operate differently, we both work together and alongside GPs, Practice Nurses, Community Nursing Teams, and Acute Hospital Teams to deliver high-quality, evidence-based diabetes care.
East Berkshire
The service is provided by a team of Consultants, Specialist Nurses, Specialist Dietitians, and Administrators located at the Diabetes Centre at King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor.
Services offered:
- 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
The service is provided by a community team of Specialist Nurses, Specialist Dietitians, and an Administrator located at Wokingham Community Hospital.
We work together with GP practices and other healthcare professionals to support and enhance their skills in managing the care of people with diabetes.
Our team provides support in person, via video, or telephone, and also offer home visits for people who are housebound (when 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
Referrals to our service come from a GP, Consultant, or Registered Healthcare Professional. Self-referrals are not accepted.
East Berkshire
We accept referrals from GPs or Healthcare Professionals in East Berkshire for people aged 18 or over who 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 for people aged 25 or over who are 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 and bring with you:
- your blood glucose readings or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) download
- a list of your current medication
If you use an insulin pump, please download your pump data before your appointment.
You are welcome to bring someone with you to your appointment.
Clinic appointments last 30 – 40 minutes, and group education sessions last up to 3 hours.
Structured diabetes education
Looking after your health is the key to living well with diabetes.
The services in both East and West Berkshire provide high-quality, accredited structured education programmes:
- For people with Type 2 diabetes: XPERT and DEAL programmes are available and delivered in community venues across the county. Referral is from your GP practice.
- For people with Type 1 diabetes: CHOICE and modular education sessions are available. Referral is from your Diabetes Specialist Team or your GP.
These courses are designed to help you understand your condition, feel empowered, and make positive changes to manage your health.
If you’re interested, please ask your GP practice 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 if you require further information about our service.
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 receive information in a format that meets their needs.
Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) – a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers – we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.
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.
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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.