If you have diabetes, your blood sugar level can rise too high, which can cause serious and permanent damage to the body.
The NHS provides advice on the symptoms and what to do if you think you may have diabetes.
Managing your diabetes
If you are living with diabetes in Solihull there is help available from the:
- Solihull Diabetes UK Group
- East Birmingham/North Solihull Diabetes patient support group - you can call them on 01922 614500
Help, advice and support is also available from our Community Advice Hubs.
Diabetic eye screening
In Solihull, screening is available at the Solihull Hospital Diabetes Clinic.
Screening is also available at a number of opticians in Solihull.
You can contact the service by:
- email to bhs-tr.retinal-administration@nhs.net
- phone on 0333 456 7887
Sight loss and blindness
Anyone living with type 1 or 2 diabetes could develop a condition which causes sight loss or blindness.
You should have your eyesight screened every year because:
- treatment is most effective when the condition is diagnosed early
- symptoms may not appear until the condition is causing, or close to causing, sight loss
Diabetic eye screening does not replace regular eye tests. You should continue to have general eyes tests with your optician.
Community diabetes services
The Community Diabetes service in Solihull can provide you with short-term advice from specialist experts to manage your diabetes, which could include:
- group education sessions
- appointments with a dietician
To use the service you will have to be referred by:
- your GP
- a healthcare professional such as a practice nurse
Solihull Diabetes UK Group
The Solihull Group is the national Diabetes UK support group for our local area.
The Solihull Diabetes Group meets every month at:
Christ Church United Reformed Church (in the Mayflower Room)
741 Warwick Road
Solihull
B91 3DG