LIVINGLIVING
TYPE YOU DIABETES
Patients at the London Diabetes Centre are taking advantage of
expertise in diabetes technology to try out new systems. Here
we look at the benefits of one of the newest technologies, the
Eversense implantable CGM.
ADVERTORIAL
S
uddenly diabetes technology
is coming on leaps and
bounds. But it can be hard
to make sense of it - would
you benefit from it, if so,
which technology should you choose?
Sometimes it's good to talk to a team
that can help assess your needs and best
match you to a solution. If you can fund
it, then they can immediately help you to
take action and get onto the technology
as quickly as possible. This is the intention
of the London Diabetes Centre, which has
been based in Marylebone for decades.
David Briggs, Chief Operating Officer
for London Diabetes Centre, says, "At
the London Diabetes Centre, we offer
something not available at any other
private outpatient clinic in the UK. Ever
since we started back in 1991, it's been
our goal to provide diabetes patients
with a truly comprehensive approach to
every aspect of their ongoing care and
wellbeing; one in which everything you
need comes together and connects,
seamlessly. Everything you could possibly
need is available here at our state-of-theart clinic along with leading specialists in
their areas, working alongside each other
- in a genuinely 'joined-up' way."
Clinic Facilitator,Carol Willis, a member
of the senior diabetes team explains,
"Here, under one roof, we have not just
the finest facilities, but a single team that
brings together cutting edge expertise in
every aspect of diabetes care. That team
includes not just 12 renowned consultant
diabetologists, with expertise in different
aspects of the condition, but also four
senior diabetes educators, dietitians,
the support of the London Medical
Ophthalmology department.
"We even have our own pharmacy,
which stocks a wide range of equipment
for diabetes care - from the basics like
meters, strips and lancets to insulin
pumps and glucose (CGM) sensors. We
also have all the latest medicines, some of
them not readily available elsewhere. You
can come for an appointment then leave
the same day with the medicines and
equipment that has been recommended.
"We have always encouraged
our patients to take advantage of
technological advances once we have
ourselves become assured of their
efficacy. Diabetes technology can truly
improve control and quality of life and we
try hard to match the right technology with
each patient. We have been proactive
in advocating continuous glucose
monitoring (CGM) technology and have
recently had much success with patients
going on to one of the latest solutions,
the Eversense implantable CGM by
Senseonics, distributed in the UK by
Roche Diabetes Care. Even though this
involves a brief procedure to insert the
small device, some patients have moreor-less
jumped at the chance.
Sporting chance
Dr. Anisa Khadem Nwachuku was
diagnosed in May 2015 with Type I when
she was working in West Africa and initially
controlled her diabetes using Januvia and
Metformin. Having moved to the UK in
September 2016 she was keen to go on
insulin and, being aware of continuous
glucose monitoring (CGM), was eager
to try that while learning how to manage
her control on insulin. "Completely
by chance, I walked past the London
Diabetes Centre and later took a look at
their website and could see they had a
suite of specialities within diabetes care.
They run Insight Days and I attended one,
which I found to be both interesting and
useful. There are doctors who present on
the latest therapies and health concerns
for people living with diabetes and are
ready to field your questions. It's also
possible to handle new technology and
ask company reps questions about them.
After attending one of those sessions I
consulted with Carol, the Clinic Facilitator,
who has held my hand through finding
the right endocrinologist for me, helped
me book appointments with the various
care providers, and has been generally
invaluable to me ever since."
Nwachuku initially tried another CGM
but when she heard about the Eversense
implantable CGM, she immediately
appreciated the versatility it would offer
her as an experienced scuba diver and
snowboarder. "I felt that having an implant
would make things even easier than a
conventional CGM," she says, "Clearly,
staying active is a crucial component of
managing this disease. If you want to do