Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 7, 2018

annegray02 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter)

Hi I've just graduated and found this fantastic forum Idea

have been using freestyle libra for 15 months and it really has changed my life ( ie no Italian hols) ; now I can walk Sam my dog without the fear of a hypo; can do Aquafit classes without potentially drowning again. I am 80 years old and have been type 1 for 56 of those years. The diabetic team at WGH Edinburgh plug in my libra reader, download readings giving the team 24/7 info. They trust it and so do I. Would say that the price MUST come down to give all Type 1 diabetics this aid.

Feb 2, 2018

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Hypos

Dean, if you provide a bit more info, like what background insulin you're on and perhaps an extract from your blood- glucose diary showing the problems you're having, then you might get some more responses.

Feb 1, 2018

Dean123 7 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Hypos

Hi everyone, bit of advice please? What it is I am having multiple hypos from 1pm to midnight, but still waking up with good blood sugars in the morning of 6. Do you what could be the problem? Thanks dean

Feb 1, 2018

Warwick 425 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and BG levels

By out of control BGs, do you mean lots of hypos? Constantly treating hypos with unwanted carbs won't help with weight loss. Note that I am not advocating not treating hypos at all, but just providing a possible explanation.

Jan 30, 2018

jenwah 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and BG levels

Thanks for your reply. I do a mix of resistance and cardio about 5 times a week. It's always high intensity and I've never exercised as hard or eaten as well. It just baffles me x

Jan 30, 2018

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and BG levels

I don't think this is an uncommon issue with type ones.......

I have seen myself losing weight with diet alone but there comes a point where it will just stall....

what level of exercise are you doing....?

Jan 30, 2018

jenwah 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and BG levels

Hi!I'm new to this site but have been diabetic 11 years now. Been recently exercising a lot, BGs are out of control so just switched to Levemir hoping it will stabilise. Funny thing, dieting and exercising a lot - I'm losing zero weight. At tips? Been at it 6 months x

Jan 29, 2018

sjohno 37 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BD pen 4mm/32g needles

Hi

I was changed from a 6mm to a 4mm in April 2016 by my DAFNE AHP and it was the best thing she ever did for me. It was her suggestion that she thought they would be better for me so the experience was very positive for me. Very Happy

Jan 29, 2018

michaelj 45 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BD pen 4mm/32g needles

No problems with manufacturer but called in to see Diabetic nurse ( not my usual one) who decided I should be using 4mm and not the 6mm I have been using for years with no problems. Within 48 hours bloods in the 20's and no way to get them down. Ratios up from 2--1 to 3--1 no effect basal up from 33 to 39 no effect. After a week of this tried to contact Diabetic care team only to get no response after leaving a message on their answerphone. Have now gone back to 6 mm needles and situation is now back to normal.
Question 1 -- Has anyone else had this problem after changing needles
Question 2 -- Does anyone else suffer this 'I know better than you' attitude from health care professionals

Jan 28, 2018

SimonC 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre to be available on the NHS.....

Signed the petition

I have been using Libre for about 2 years - and could not be without it now - because of the the information available through its use, my GP and I identified issues that could not have been identified easily through finger pricking - and I was able to make significant changes to my regime - had I not, then I could have cost the NHS a lot more money than the of these.

To individuals like myself the cost is about £50 per unit.
If the NHS were to purchase, I would hope that Abbot would significantly reduce the cost per unit due to the bulk.

I can just about afford £100 p/m - but I would rather not, but I couldn't go back to relying upon the blood tests alone.

Jan 28, 2018

RJIH 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre to be available on the NHS.....

No libre prescription in Oxfordshire not even by consultants for diagnostics. Will sign petition.

Jan 27, 2018

Dave H 3 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Beer advice confusing

Hi Brock, welcome to the chat.

I have found with my usual choice of beers (3.5 - 4.5) that on a 4 beer evening I tentatively take an extra 1 unit. I usually go to bed high but it drops by morning, still on the high side (10+). I'm wary of over correcting as a single unit drops me by about 3.5 - 4. of course sometimes a 4 beer evening turns into 6 Shocked

The best news is that with the flash glucose monitoring which will soon be available on prescription, we will get a much better idea of the overnight and next day impact. I've trialled the Abbot freestyle libre sensors and they are fab.

Jan 27, 2018

Brock 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Beer advice confusing

Hi Dave, I have just graduated and have yet to try this out, how did it go?

Jan 25, 2018

torana 53 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pump users / Glucose Control over duration of the vial volume

Hi Andy, what a fantastic inquiry into the basic premises of insulin and the veracity of the manufacturer. Over many years using various insulins I believe that there is a need for a healthy suspicion of products and the claims put forward by multinational pharmaceuticals. Helen mentioned living in Queensland poses a dilemma for users where to store the insulin over its lifetime. In Sydney NSW the temperature is also often over 30c. Do I keep the insulin in the fridge after opening as I sometimes routinely follow in the summer or follow the manufacturer instructions to the letter? My support for your study stems from being what I call the guinea pig many years ago for human insulin that was pushed onto the market to replace bovine and porcine insulins. How there has never been an inquiry or Royal Commission into the deaths of unassuming users believing their doctors and the manufacturers beggers belief. On this insulin I couldn’t walk down the street, had massive hypos at.night and was continually vomiting due to the intense lows until admitted to hospital. In fact, due to the problems deriving from this insulin a British organisation called IDDT was established to maintain animal insulin on the market due to the onslaught of the cheaper to manufacturer synthetic products and of course the bovine dilemma. After being hospitalised and telling the disbelieving specialists it was due to this new insulin I even rang the manufacturer who put their doctors on the phone to deny my accusations. “Dead in the Bed” is a well known phrase from this time but also users crashing cars from lows started to be talked about in conversations.
I commend you for your study and even though I have never used a pump would support you in your quest to determine the efficacy of the insulins we have on the market.

Jan 25, 2018

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pump users / Glucose Control over duration of the vial volume

Hi Andy, I live in Brisbane, Australia and our day temperatures are regularly over 30 degrees, especially currently(10:00am and it is already 31 degrees!). Been a diabetic for 40+ years and on pump therapy for over 8 years. This is my second pump. My first pump had a cartridge with only 200 units and I would regularly run out half way through the third day. My problem was at the change over...after I had changed the infusion set I would have 8-12 hours where the new set was embedding (often needing top ups with an injection)! It would then run smoothly. The second pump has a 300u cartridge and lasts me 3+ days on average. I find the point of insertion tends to break down at 4 days and I change it at 3.5 days rather than continue. I can get lucky but I think it is a product of 30 years of injections and damage to the underlying fat layer (scarring?). I have not noticed any deterioration of the insulin over waves of 30+ days. We recently had a run of over 35 degrees and I found I drank more water and my insulin demand went up slightly (always does in the heat) but the insulin seemed fine.
All the best with your research. Helen

Jan 24, 2018

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre to be available on the NHS.....

The website address for this petition is

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/204550

You'll have to copy and paste this to get to it

Jan 23, 2018

Colin McC 15 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre to be available on the NHS.....

Just found out there is a government petition relating to the freestyle libre. It's got @ 7300+ so far so if you want to sign up then go to Petitions - UK Government and Parliament then Open Partitions then type in diabetic & it will show Provide free flash glucose monitoring systems to type 1 diabetics on the NHS. Then just follow the instructions. I think tis worth a go & tis only takes a few minutes out of your life to register

Jan 21, 2018

AMcD 38 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pump users / Glucose Control over duration of the vial volume

I am currently starting an MSc in Biomedical Science Project. I have had type 1 for nearly 30 years and started pump therapy in summer 2015. I have found that my BG control is excellent over the first 3 days but thereafter BG levels begin to rise until a new vial of insulin is filled when doing a set change. I am examining the effect that the temperature of the insulin within the pump may have on the efficiency of the insulin. There is some detail in the litterateur about storage and room temperature and the insulin producers say that insulin should be kept below 30 degrees. I would be delighted to receive any feedback from other pump users to see if they find loss in control towards the end of the pump vial - say after day 3? Thanks in advance. Andy

Jan 17, 2018

Peter 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Wanted: DAFNE Graduate user representatives to join DAFNE Executive Board

The DAFNE Executive Board has decided to increase the graduate membership from 2 to 7 to give equality with the number of doctors and of nurses/dieticians. This will allow the Executive Board to access both a broader perspective from the DAFNE graduate community and a wider range of skills and backgrounds thereby achieving both increased participation and partnership.

As a result, an election is now being planned to select 5 additional DAFNE graduates to supplement the 2 graduate representatives who are already members of the Board.

At this stage, we are looking for expressions of interest in the roles. Further details of the role plus the application and election processes will be issued in February.

The overall responsibilities of the DAFNE Executive Board are:
• to have delegated responsibility for the setting and the achievement of the strategic and operational objectives of the Central DAFNE Team (CDT) [see note1].
• the approval of the annual budget for the CDT and agreeing how any surplus will be used for the development of the DAFNE programme for the benefit of the Members.
• ensuring the quality of the DAFNE programme healthcare professional and patient training resources and materials and that these reflect current best practice.
• ensuring the competencies of DAFNE Educators, doctors and advisors at the point of DAFNE certification and registration.

Nominations for the additional graduate representative roles are open to DAFNE graduates who are DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) members [see note 2].

Board membership requires attendance at 4 Board meetings per year, and involvement in delegated activities between meetings which will typically use e-mail correspondence. Two of the Board meetings each year are usually held in January and May by teleconference, each typically lasting half a day. There is an annual 2-day face-to-face meeting (usually held in October near Newcastle-upon-Tyne) which covers strategic and business matters. Board members are also invited to attend the 1-day annual DAFNE Collaborative meeting (typically in Manchester in June) which is for DAFNE healthcare professional development.

The graduate members will be expected to participate in all aspects of the work of the Board, alongside the clinical members e.g. reviewing proposed changes to the DAFNE programme. Those involved in delegated activities between meetings will be chosen according to individual availability plus experience and/or interest in the subject area. In this way graduate members will be able to choose where they have a greater level of participation. Expertise in social media, business and marketing skills would be particularly welcome.

In total it is anticipated that the role will require 4-11 days activity per year, most of which can be undertaken at evenings and/or weekends.

The roles are voluntary and unpaid, although costs for travel, hotel and reasonable expenses will be provided in line with the NHS rules on reimbursement.

It is expected that the election process will commence in mid-February. On completion of the election, the successful representatives will be invited to an introductory meeting during June with representatives of the Board, including both existing graduate members, before joining the 2-day full Executive meeting on 16th & 17th October.

Full details of these roles and an application pack will be sent to all DGG members in mid-February. If you are a DAFNE Graduate and are interested in receiving more details, but are not currently a member of the DGG [see note 3], please send an e-mail to ][email protected] and the information will be sent when available. Alternatively, the information will be downloadable from the DAFNE website (http://www.dafne.uk.com/) from mid-February.

[Note 1] The CDT is a dedicated centralised resource responsible for the delivery of the programme core operational objectives and provides support to the Trusts providing DAFNE. The CDT also initiates, implements and manages a common development strategy for DAFNE.
[Note 2] If you need to join the DGG please firstly create a dafneonline account at https://www.dafneonline.co.uk/signup?to=%252F. You will then need to contact your DAFNE course Educator to request a DAFNE Centre code. This should be added to your dafneonline account along with selecting the “Subscribe to DGG email list” option on the Signup page. This will both complete your membership of the DGG and allow you to access the latest DAFNE Handbook through the dafneonline site.
[Note 3]Membership of the DGG will be required prior to making an application. See footnote #2.

Jan 16, 2018

Colin McC 15 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BD pen 4mm/32g needles

For many years now I have used BD Micro-Fine Ultra pen needles 4mm/32g with no problems. Today I discovered my GP has replaced these needles for the BD Viva 4mm/32g version. Apparently the GP has been directed, by whom I do not know, to now prescribe these. I can only imagine it is due to NHS costs, £20 approx for the Micro-fine against £7 approx. for the Viva. So I ask has this happened to anyone else & does anyone use the Viva? Be pleased to know if the Viva are any good as I bruise easily.

Jan 15, 2018

ytyynycefn 9 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / freestyle libra

novorapidboi26 said:
ytyynycefn said:
Hi, I’ve just been issued it on prescription on a three month trial basis in South Wales. If I can bring my terrible (~10) HbA1c down by 2.5 I’ll be able to have it long term. So it’s available, but limited to cases like mine and people who fingerprick test eight or more times a day. So far!

It’s brilliant. My management is already so much better.

Is your management better because you can now get ahead of any highs or lows before they manifest properly.....?

what has the Libre brought that the DAFNE principles couldn't get right for you...

My health board are still thrashing out a few details before its readily available but there will be criteria to get one obviously....

I have clinic on Wednesday and will be asking about it then.......

My management is better because I’m actually checking my blood sugars lol.

I’ve been in burnout for a few years and had adopted the “if I don’t know what it is, I don’t need to worry about it” approach - pretty much since doing the DAFNE course in the first place. Like not opening the brown envelopes that come through the door telling you you’re in financial trouble! It wasn’t that I couldn’t handle the calculations, I’m very good at maths. It was the constant finger pricking required - to do it properly I found my fingers getting shredded. My hands get very dirty with my work, and I was getting infections; I also need precision with my work (I’m a jewellery silversmith) and sore fingers meant I was fumbling my creations and ruining them - and that gets very expensive when you’re working with precious metal! So I stopped testing regularly, just took my BI and the occasional QA when I was having loads of carbs. I also have Asperger’s, which means that I have poor “executive function” - basically doing the things I need to do to take care of myself become massively difficult. However, the Libre has changed all that, I’m scanning all the time and have a very detailed picture of what is happening. In the four days I’ve had this sensor in, the wild fluctuations have decreased drastically and I’ve actually been in my target range for the last 20 hours, except for a small 8.1 spike after lunch, which I took 1 unit of insulin for. It seems to be all about small corrections. If you message me your email address, I will happily send you some photos of the graphs on my meter to back up your case - I’ve (hopefully) included my diary in this reply.

Jan 15, 2018

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / freestyle libra

ytyynycefn said:
Hi, I’ve just been issued it on prescription on a three month trial basis in South Wales. If I can bring my terrible (~10) HbA1c down by 2.5 I’ll be able to have it long term. So it’s available, but limited to cases like mine and people who fingerprick test eight or more times a day. So far!

It’s brilliant. My management is already so much better.

Is your management better because you can now get ahead of any highs or lows before they manifest properly.....?

what has the Libre brought that the DAFNE principles couldn't get right for you...

My health board are still thrashing out a few details before its readily available but there will be criteria to get one obviously....

I have clinic on Wednesday and will be asking about it then.......

Feb 7, 2018 annegray02 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Hi I've just graduated and found this fantastic forum have been using freestyle libra for 15 months and it really has changed my life ( ie no Italian hols) ; now I can walk Sam my dog without the fear of a hypo; can do Aquafit classes without potentially drowning again. I am 80 years old and have been type 1 for 56 of those years. The diabetic team at WGH Edinburgh plug in my libra reader, download readings giving the team 24/7 info. They trust it and so do I. Would say that the price MUST come down to give all Type 1 diabetics this aid.

Feb 2, 2018 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hypos Dean, if you provide a bit more info, like what background insulin you're on and perhaps an extract from your blood- glucose diary showing the problems you're having, then you might get some more responses.

Feb 1, 2018 Dean123 7 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hypos Hi everyone, bit of advice please? What it is I am having multiple hypos from 1pm to midnight, but still waking up with good blood sugars in the morning of 6. Do you what could be the problem? Thanks dean

Feb 1, 2018 Warwick 425 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and BG levels By out of control BGs, do you mean lots of hypos? Constantly treating hypos with unwanted carbs won't help with weight loss. Note that I am not advocating not treating hypos at all, but just providing a possible explanation.

Jan 30, 2018 jenwah 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and BG levels Thanks for your reply. I do a mix of resistance and cardio about 5 times a week. It's always high intensity and I've never exercised as hard or eaten as well. It just baffles me x

Jan 30, 2018 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and BG levels I don't think this is an uncommon issue with type ones....... I have seen myself losing weight with diet alone but there comes a point where it will just stall.... what level of exercise are you doing....?

Jan 30, 2018 jenwah 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and BG levels Hi!I'm new to this site but have been diabetic 11 years now. Been recently exercising a lot, BGs are out of control so just switched to Levemir hoping it will stabilise. Funny thing, dieting and exercising a lot - I'm losing zero weight. At tips? Been at it 6 months x

Jan 29, 2018 sjohno 37 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BD pen 4mm/32g needles Hi I was changed from a 6mm to a 4mm in April 2016 by my DAFNE AHP and it was the best thing she ever did for me. It was her suggestion that she thought they would be better for me so the experience was very positive for me.

Jan 29, 2018 michaelj 45 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BD pen 4mm/32g needles No problems with manufacturer but called in to see Diabetic nurse ( not my usual one) who decided I should be using 4mm and not the 6mm I have been using for years with no problems. Within 48 hours bloods in the 20's and no way to get them down. Ratios up from 2--1 to 3--1 no effect basal up from 33 to 39 no effect. After a week of this tried to contact Diabetic care team only to get no response after leaving a message on their answerphone. Have now gone back to 6 mm needles and situation is now back to normal. Question 1 -- Has anyone else had this problem after changing needles Question 2 -- Does anyone else suffer this 'I know better than you' attitude from health care professionals

Jan 28, 2018 SimonC 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre to be available on the NHS..... Signed the petition I have been using Libre for about 2 years - and could not be without it now - because of the the information available through its use, my GP and I identified issues that could not have been identified easily through finger pricking - and I was able to make significant changes to my regime - had I not, then I could have cost the NHS a lot more money than the of these. To individuals like myself the cost is about £50 per unit. If the NHS were to purchase, I would hope that Abbot would significantly reduce the cost per unit due to the bulk. I can just about afford £100 p/m - but I would rather not, but I couldn't go back to relying upon the blood tests alone.

Jan 28, 2018 RJIH 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre to be available on the NHS..... No libre prescription in Oxfordshire not even by consultants for diagnostics. Will sign petition.

Jan 27, 2018 Dave H 3 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Beer advice confusing Hi Brock, welcome to the chat. I have found with my usual choice of beers (3.5 - 4.5) that on a 4 beer evening I tentatively take an extra 1 unit. I usually go to bed high but it drops by morning, still on the high side (10+). I'm wary of over correcting as a single unit drops me by about 3.5 - 4. of course sometimes a 4 beer evening turns into 6 The best news is that with the flash glucose monitoring which will soon be available on prescription, we will get a much better idea of the overnight and next day impact. I've trialled the Abbot freestyle libre sensors and they are fab.

Jan 27, 2018 Brock 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Beer advice confusing Hi Dave, I have just graduated and have yet to try this out, how did it go?

Jan 25, 2018 torana 53 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pump users / Glucose Control over duration of the vial volume Hi Andy, what a fantastic inquiry into the basic premises of insulin and the veracity of the manufacturer. Over many years using various insulins I believe that there is a need for a healthy suspicion of products and the claims put forward by multinational pharmaceuticals. Helen mentioned living in Queensland poses a dilemma for users where to store the insulin over its lifetime. In Sydney NSW the temperature is also often over 30c. Do I keep the insulin in the fridge after opening as I sometimes routinely follow in the summer or follow the manufacturer instructions to the letter? My support for your study stems from being what I call the guinea pig many years ago for human insulin that was pushed onto the market to replace bovine and porcine insulins. How there has never been an inquiry or Royal Commission into the deaths of unassuming users believing their doctors and the manufacturers beggers belief. On this insulin I couldn’t walk down the street, had massive hypos at.night and was continually vomiting due to the intense lows until admitted to hospital. In fact, due to the problems deriving from this insulin a British organisation called IDDT was established to maintain animal insulin on the market due to the onslaught of the cheaper to manufacturer synthetic products and of course the bovine dilemma. After being hospitalised and telling the disbelieving specialists it was due to this new insulin I even rang the manufacturer who put their doctors on the phone to deny my accusations. “Dead in the Bed” is a well known phrase from this time but also users crashing cars from lows started to be talked about in conversations. I commend you for your study and even though I have never used a pump would support you in your quest to determine the efficacy of the insulins we have on the market.

Jan 25, 2018 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pump users / Glucose Control over duration of the vial volume Hi Andy, I live in Brisbane, Australia and our day temperatures are regularly over 30 degrees, especially currently(10:00am and it is already 31 degrees!). Been a diabetic for 40+ years and on pump therapy for over 8 years. This is my second pump. My first pump had a cartridge with only 200 units and I would regularly run out half way through the third day. My problem was at the change over...after I had changed the infusion set I would have 8-12 hours where the new set was embedding (often needing top ups with an injection)! It would then run smoothly. The second pump has a 300u cartridge and lasts me 3+ days on average. I find the point of insertion tends to break down at 4 days and I change it at 3.5 days rather than continue. I can get lucky but I think it is a product of 30 years of injections and damage to the underlying fat layer (scarring?). I have not noticed any deterioration of the insulin over waves of 30+ days. We recently had a run of over 35 degrees and I found I drank more water and my insulin demand went up slightly (always does in the heat) but the insulin seemed fine. All the best with your research. Helen

Jan 24, 2018 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre to be available on the NHS..... The website address for this petition is https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/204550 You'll have to copy and paste this to get to it

Jan 23, 2018 Colin McC 15 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre to be available on the NHS..... Just found out there is a government petition relating to the freestyle libre. It's got @ 7300+ so far so if you want to sign up then go to Petitions - UK Government and Parliament then Open Partitions then type in diabetic & it will show Provide free flash glucose monitoring systems to type 1 diabetics on the NHS. Then just follow the instructions. I think tis worth a go & tis only takes a few minutes out of your life to register

Jan 21, 2018 AMcD 38 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pump users / Glucose Control over duration of the vial volume I am currently starting an MSc in Biomedical Science Project. I have had type 1 for nearly 30 years and started pump therapy in summer 2015. I have found that my BG control is excellent over the first 3 days but thereafter BG levels begin to rise until a new vial of insulin is filled when doing a set change. I am examining the effect that the temperature of the insulin within the pump may have on the efficiency of the insulin. There is some detail in the litterateur about storage and room temperature and the insulin producers say that insulin should be kept below 30 degrees. I would be delighted to receive any feedback from other pump users to see if they find loss in control towards the end of the pump vial - say after day 3? Thanks in advance. Andy

Jan 17, 2018 Peter 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Wanted: DAFNE Graduate user representatives to join DAFNE Executive Board The DAFNE Executive Board has decided to increase the graduate membership from 2 to 7 to give equality with the number of doctors and of nurses/dieticians. This will allow the Executive Board to access both a broader perspective from the DAFNE graduate community and a wider range of skills and backgrounds thereby achieving both increased participation and partnership. As a result, an election is now being planned to select 5 additional DAFNE graduates to supplement the 2 graduate representatives who are already members of the Board. At this stage, we are looking for expressions of interest in the roles. Further details of the role plus the application and election processes will be issued in February. The overall responsibilities of the DAFNE Executive Board are: • to have delegated responsibility for the setting and the achievement of the strategic and operational objectives of the Central DAFNE Team (CDT) [see note1]. • the approval of the annual budget for the CDT and agreeing how any surplus will be used for the development of the DAFNE programme for the benefit of the Members. • ensuring the quality of the DAFNE programme healthcare professional and patient training resources and materials and that these reflect current best practice. • ensuring the competencies of DAFNE Educators, doctors and advisors at the point of DAFNE certification and registration. Nominations for the additional graduate representative roles are open to DAFNE graduates who are DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) members [see note 2]. Board membership requires attendance at 4 Board meetings per year, and involvement in delegated activities between meetings which will typically use e-mail correspondence. Two of the Board meetings each year are usually held in January and May by teleconference, each typically lasting half a day. There is an annual 2-day face-to-face meeting (usually held in October near Newcastle-upon-Tyne) which covers strategic and business matters. Board members are also invited to attend the 1-day annual DAFNE Collaborative meeting (typically in Manchester in June) which is for DAFNE healthcare professional development. The graduate members will be expected to participate in all aspects of the work of the Board, alongside the clinical members e.g. reviewing proposed changes to the DAFNE programme. Those involved in delegated activities between meetings will be chosen according to individual availability plus experience and/or interest in the subject area. In this way graduate members will be able to choose where they have a greater level of participation. Expertise in social media, business and marketing skills would be particularly welcome. In total it is anticipated that the role will require 4-11 days activity per year, most of which can be undertaken at evenings and/or weekends. The roles are voluntary and unpaid, although costs for travel, hotel and reasonable expenses will be provided in line with the NHS rules on reimbursement. It is expected that the election process will commence in mid-February. On completion of the election, the successful representatives will be invited to an introductory meeting during June with representatives of the Board, including both existing graduate members, before joining the 2-day full Executive meeting on 16th & 17th October. Full details of these roles and an application pack will be sent to all DGG members in mid-February. If you are a DAFNE Graduate and are interested in receiving more details, but are not currently a member of the DGG [see note 3], please send an e-mail to ][email protected] and the information will be sent when available. Alternatively, the information will be downloadable from the DAFNE website (http://www.dafne.uk.com/) from mid-February. [Note 1] The CDT is a dedicated centralised resource responsible for the delivery of the programme core operational objectives and provides support to the Trusts providing DAFNE. The CDT also initiates, implements and manages a common development strategy for DAFNE. [Note 2] If you need to join the DGG please firstly create a dafneonline account at https://www.dafneonline.co.uk/signup?to=%252F. You will then need to contact your DAFNE course Educator to request a DAFNE Centre code. This should be added to your dafneonline account along with selecting the “Subscribe to DGG email list” option on the Signup page. This will both complete your membership of the DGG and allow you to access the latest DAFNE Handbook through the dafneonline site. [Note 3]Membership of the DGG will be required prior to making an application. See footnote #2.

Jan 16, 2018 Colin McC 15 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BD pen 4mm/32g needles For many years now I have used BD Micro-Fine Ultra pen needles 4mm/32g with no problems. Today I discovered my GP has replaced these needles for the BD Viva 4mm/32g version. Apparently the GP has been directed, by whom I do not know, to now prescribe these. I can only imagine it is due to NHS costs, £20 approx for the Micro-fine against £7 approx. for the Viva. So I ask has this happened to anyone else & does anyone use the Viva? Be pleased to know if the Viva are any good as I bruise easily.

Jan 15, 2018 ytyynycefn 9 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / freestyle libra novorapidboi26 said: ytyynycefn said: Hi, I’ve just been issued it on prescription on a three month trial basis in South Wales. If I can bring my terrible (~10) HbA1c down by 2.5 I’ll be able to have it long term. So it’s available, but limited to cases like mine and people who fingerprick test eight or more times a day. So far! It’s brilliant. My management is already so much better. Is your management better because you can now get ahead of any highs or lows before they manifest properly.....? what has the Libre brought that the DAFNE principles couldn't get right for you... My health board are still thrashing out a few details before its readily available but there will be criteria to get one obviously.... I have clinic on Wednesday and will be asking about it then....... My management is better because I’m actually checking my blood sugars lol. I’ve been in burnout for a few years and had adopted the “if I don’t know what it is, I don’t need to worry about it” approach - pretty much since doing the DAFNE course in the first place. Like not opening the brown envelopes that come through the door telling you you’re in financial trouble! It wasn’t that I couldn’t handle the calculations, I’m very good at maths. It was the constant finger pricking required - to do it properly I found my fingers getting shredded. My hands get very dirty with my work, and I was getting infections; I also need precision with my work (I’m a jewellery silversmith) and sore fingers meant I was fumbling my creations and ruining them - and that gets very expensive when you’re working with precious metal! So I stopped testing regularly, just took my BI and the occasional QA when I was having loads of carbs. I also have Asperger’s, which means that I have poor “executive function” - basically doing the things I need to do to take care of myself become massively difficult. However, the Libre has changed all that, I’m scanning all the time and have a very detailed picture of what is happening. In the four days I’ve had this sensor in, the wild fluctuations have decreased drastically and I’ve actually been in my target range for the last 20 hours, except for a small 8.1 spike after lunch, which I took 1 unit of insulin for. It seems to be all about small corrections. If you message me your email address, I will happily send you some photos of the graphs on my meter to back up your case - I’ve (hopefully) included my diary in this reply.

Jan 15, 2018 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / freestyle libra ytyynycefn said: Hi, I’ve just been issued it on prescription on a three month trial basis in South Wales. If I can bring my terrible (~10) HbA1c down by 2.5 I’ll be able to have it long term. So it’s available, but limited to cases like mine and people who fingerprick test eight or more times a day. So far! It’s brilliant. My management is already so much better. Is your management better because you can now get ahead of any highs or lows before they manifest properly.....? what has the Libre brought that the DAFNE principles couldn't get right for you... My health board are still thrashing out a few details before its readily available but there will be criteria to get one obviously.... I have clinic on Wednesday and will be asking about it then.......