Diabetes - useful contacts

This is a selection of support agencies and charities that can help if you have diabetes, but please note that it is by no means exhaustive.

General

• Diabetes UK
• Helps people with diabetes and their families. Represents and campaigns for their interests, and funds research into the condition.
• Careline: 0845 120 2960
• Email: careline@diabetes.org.uk
• Website: (External) www.diabetes.org.uk

• The Diabetes Monitor
• Resource for patients to educate themselves about their role as active participants in care of their condition.
• Email: info@diabetesmonitor.com
• Website: (External) www.diabetesmonitor.com

• International Diabetic Athletes Association
• Members include people with diabetes who participate in fitness activities at all levels, healthcare professionals, and everyone interested in the relationship between (or special problems of) diabetes and sport.
• Email: desa@diabetes-exercise.org
• Website: (External) www.diabetes-exercise.org

• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
• Provides patients, health professionals and the public with authoritative, robust and reliable guidance on current 'best practice'.
• Tel. 0845 003 7780
• Email: nice@nice.org.uk
• Website: (External) www.nice.org.uk

• NHS Choices
• 24-hour nurse-led helpline providing confidential healthcare advice and information, including a section on diabetes.
• NHS Direct Line: 0845 4647
• Website: (External) www.nhschoices.nhs.uk

• NHS 24
• Confidential telephone health advice and information service for people in Scotland.
• Tel: 08454 242424
• Website: (External) www.nhs24.com

• World Diabetes Foundation
• Dedicated to supporting prevention and treatment of diabetes in developing countries.
• Website: (External) www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/

Children and young people

• The Diabetes Research Institute
• International centre committed to improving the lives of children with the condition.
• Tel: +1 800 321 3437
• Website: (External) www.diabetesresearch.org/diabetesresearchinstitute.htm

• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
• Exists to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.
• Tel: 020 7713 2030
• Email: info@jdrf.org.uk
• Website: (External) www.jdrf.org.uk

Related illnesses and conditions

• European Association for the Study of Diabetic Eye Complications
• Information and advice on all the eye complications that diabetes may cause.
• Website: (External) http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/index.html

• Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust: eye department
• A good resource on eye problems and conditions. Offers online leaflets that can be downloaded and printed.
• Website: (External) www.goodhope.org.uk/Departments/eyedept/index.htm

• National Kidney Federation
• Run by kidney patients for kidney patients. Promotes the welfare of people with kidney disease or renal failure, and the relatives and friends who care for them.
• Helpline: 0845 601 0209
• Website: (External) www.kidney.org.uk

• Moorfields Eye Hospital: retinal disease
• This site covers most eye illnesses and conditions, including those caused by diabetes.
• Helpline: 020 7566 2345
• Website: (External) www.moorfields.org.uk

• The Pituitary Foundation: diabetes insipidus
• Provides information and support to people with pituitary disorders, of which diabetes insipidus is one.
• Tel: 0845 450 0375
• Website: (External) www.pituitary.org.uk

• The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
• Information to help prevent common foot problems, injuries and long-term foot damage. Take a look at its guide to buying shoes, and learn how to get into a daily foot care routine.
• Tel: 020 7234 8620
• Website: (External) www.feetforlife.org

Health professionals

• The British Dietetic Association
• Intended for professional dieticians but has interesting features for the general public on diets and food for people with diabetes.
• Tel: 0121 200 8080
• Email: info@bda.uk.com
• Website: (External) www.bda.uk.com

• European Association for the Study of Diabetes
• Encourages and supports research into diabetes to disseminate knowledge and facilitate its application.
• Email: secretariat@easd.org
• Website: (External) www.easd.org

• International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes
• Specialises in the research and study of diabetes in children and teenagers from a medical point of view.
• Email: secretariat@ispad.org
• Website: (External) www.ispad.org

For more information, please read:
* What is diabetes?
* Treating Diabetes
* Diabetes insipidus
* Diabetes - useful contacts