X / diabetes /important information…

Premier Health Team
Bridgewater Medical Centre
Henry Street LEIGH WN7 2PE
Telephone: 01942 481851
FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALL DIABETIC PATIENTS - Please read and sign this document
at the foot of the page and return to your GP
Important diabetes information that you MUST read and may need to act on

Hypoglycaemia - an abnormally low blood sugar described as a blood sugar level of under 4 mmol/L.
For those on insulin therapy and for those on some diabetes tablets (Gliclazide, Glipizide, Glimepiride
and others), hypoglycaemia (usually called ‘hypo’s’) can occur.
The following symptoms may be noticed: Sweatiness, shakiness, dizziness, hunger, trembling, ‘wobbly
legs’, a feeling of not being able to think clearly.
If your blood sugar is low, treat with rapid acting carbohydrate such as dextrose, glucose or lucozade
tablets (4–6) or a sugary drink (100ml) and follow this with longer acting carbohydrate such as sandwich,
fruit, cereal bar etc or your next meal if it is due.
Most common causes of hypoglycaemia are increased exercise or activity, decreased food intake or
taking too much insulin.
Always be prepared for hypo’s and have rapid acting and longer acting carbohydrate (carton of fruit
juice, Dextrose or Lucozade tablets etc) with you at all times.
If you have problems with regular or severe hypoglycaemia, contact your GP Practice for an
appointment. They may refer you on to see a Consultant at your local Diabetes Centre.

Identification
It is recommended that people with diabetes especially if they are treated by insulin, carry some form of
identification (ID) that advises this.
For ID bracelets or necklaces etc you might want to contact:
MedicAlert

Driving and Hypoglycaemia
If you are on insulin or diabetes tablets such called sulphonylureas (including Gliclazide and Glimepiride)
it is vital that you attempt to prevent hypoglycaemia whilst driving and have glucose or dextrose tablets
and longer acting carbohydrate with you to allow prompt management, should hypo’s occur.
 Always keep an emergency supply of fast-acting carbohydrate within reach in the vehicle.  Have longer acting snack such as biscuits or cereal bar to maintain your blood sugar levels.  Carry your blood glucose meter / strips with you.  Check blood glucose before driving (even on short journeys) and test regularly (every 2 hours) on  If blood glucose is 5.0mmol/l or less, take a snack before driving.  Take regular meals, snacks and rest periods on long journeys.  DO NOT DRIVE if feel hypoglycaemic or blood glucose is less than 4.0 mmol/l.
If you feel a hypo while driving
 If hypoglycaemia while driving stop vehicle immediately in a suitable location, switch off the  Remove the keys from the ignition and vacate the driving seat if safe to do so.  Do not resume driving until 45 minutes after blood glucose has returned to normal (it takes this
 If a disabling attack of hypoglycaemia occurs during waking hours the DVLA MUST be informed.
 If warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia are lost do not drive until advised by diabetes
specialist, and if loss of warning symptoms persist then inform the DVLA. If you have an accident whilst you are hypoglycaemic (hypo), you should get legal
advice and inform your diabetes care team.
Driving and Motor Insurance
You must inform your motor insurance company (we would suggest that this is in writing) that you have
diabetes even if this is controlled by diet alone. Update them should you commence tablet or insulin
therapy. Failure to inform them is failure to disclose a material fact and they may refuse to cover you in
the event of an accident.
Driving and the DVLA *
By law you must tell the DVLA if any of the following apply:
 You need laser treatment to both eyes or in the remaining eye if you have sight in one eye only.  You have problems with vision in both eyes, or in the remaining eye if you have sight in one eye only. By law, you must be able to read, with glasses or contact lenses if necessary, a car number plate in good light at 20.5 metres (67 feet) or 20 metres (65 feet) where narrower characters (50mm wide) are displayed.  You develop any problems with the circulation, or sensation in your legs or feet which makes it necessary for you to drive certain types of vehicles only, for example automatic vehicles, or vehicles with a hand operated accelerator or brake. This must be shown on your driving licence.  You suffer more than one episode of disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) within 12 months, or if you or your carer feels you are at high risk of developing disabling hypoglycaemia.  You develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia. (Difficulty in recognising the warning  You suffer disabling hypoglycaemia while driving.  An existing medical condition gets worse or you develop any other condition that may affect you
sed 21/01/2012
DVLA and Restricted (Vocational) Licences
There have been some recent changes to driving legislation for those with Group 2 licences (HGV, PCV)
on insulin. Please discuss this with your diabetes health professional or contact: Diabetes UK CareLine
0845 120 2960 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm.) or

The DVLA
For car or motorcycle driving licence holders: 0300 790 6806
For bus, coach or lorry driving licence holders: 0300 790 6807
Planning Pregnancy
For any woman with diabetes, it is extremely important that their pregnancy is planned well in advance to
help prevent damage to the unborn child. Use reliable contraception and ask to speak to your GP or
Practice Nurse before attempting to conceive.
Those with diabetes who fall pregnant unexpectedly must contact their GP urgently and be referred to
the Early Pregnancy Advisory Service at the local hospital.
The basic principles for women with diabetes in order to prevent problems with pregnancy are:
 Achieving tight blood glucose control before and during pregnancy, aiming for a long-term diabetes test (HbA1c) of less than 7.0% (46 mmol/mol)  Not smoking.  Undergoing a medication review - as some medications are harmful during pregnancy.  Taking folic acid 5mg before pregnancy and for the first 3 months (trimester) of pregnancy.  Being updated on hypo’ prevention and management.  Seeing a Dietitian for specific dietary guidance.
There is very good evidence that pregnancy outcomes in diabetes for both mother and baby are
dramatically improved through early planning and effective management.
Document date: Document renewal Date: Document owner: Premier Health Team.
Patients name:
Patients signature:
Date:

Source: http://www.premierhealthteam.org/Downloads/Important%20Diabetic%20Letter.pdf