#TeamNorthMid blogs

 

“Job satisfaction is amplified by the collaborative spirit of the diabetes community team, we work as a family. We are open and honest.  We work as a team.”

Words by Jacqueline Leon

When I was first hired as a community Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN), it felt like a dream come true. I came in through the secondment route from a district nursing background. At that time, there was a lot to learn. Today, I confidently manage complex type 2 diabetes care progressing patients in diabetes treatment but also championing a healthy lifestyle intervention. My clinics are face to face or telephone consultations. I undertake home visits for patient who are unable to come to clinics and attend community centres for diabetes outreach work. I bring my expertise and knowledge to people living with very complex and non-complex type 2 diabetes. It is not just checking blood sugar levels; it' about transforming and promoting a healthier life.

I feel the happiest in my diabetes clinics. Reviewing patient with overly complex diabetes care and teaching them about self-management of type 2 diabetes.  Together, we discuss not just numbers, but lifestyle changes that can reshape their futures. I have seen the challenges patients living with diabetes face, but I also see their potential to get back on self-management. With guidance, they learn to adjust their diets, incorporate exercise, and, most importantly and take control of their health. Every small improvement is a victory, not just for them but for me too.

Job satisfaction is amplified by the collaborative spirit of the diabetes community team, we work as a family. We are open and honest.  We work as a team. I love working with multidisciplinary team colleagues like our dietitians, health wellbeing coach, district nurse, diabetes consultants, GPs, and other health care professionals. We run a neurovascular clinic, working with my diabetes podiatrist's colleague. But best of all, our service is well led by a dynamic manager, who has been instrumental in leading the team, through good times and bad, transforming the service. We see how combined efforts create a holistic patient support network. The teamwork strengthens my impact, knowing that each patient is backed by a unified force dedicated to their well-being.

We are the community diabetes based at Forest Primary Care Centre, Edmonton.  Our email is northmid.diabetes@nhs.net  for any diabetes query in the community.

Overall, we help patients become more empowered to make healthier choices. I can see the joy, deep sense of fulfilment, and pride in their face, when they return for their follow-up appointment and have made an improvement. We can always refer patients struggling to the Talking therapies, dietician or health and wellbeing coach if they’re struggling to self-manage diabetes from my assessment.  Our team is not only managing diabetes—we are promoting health, instilling confidence, and giving people living with diabetes, the tools to live better lives.

This is more than a job; it was my calling, and every day, l feel grateful to be a part of the team.

Happy World Diabetes Day!

 

We thank Jacqueline for taking part in our #ThisIsMe blog series which focuses on the incredible diversity of our workforce across North Mid, beyond the usual protected characteristics of age, disability, ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender, sex and sexual orientation.

Please help us encourage fellow Trust colleagues to do the same by sharing this post.

Feel free to share any feedback or comments. If you wish to share your own story or think you know colleague who might want to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences about diversity, please contact our communications team at northmid.comms@nhs.net