Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Group Consultations

What are group clinics and why is the NHS supporting their roll out in primary care?

Group consultations are one to one medical consultations with a GP and/or specialist nurse delivered within a supportive group with a facilitator, either virtually or face to face. The NHS is supporting this model as a way for GP practices to bring together individuals for support with long term conditions helping them to better manage their own health and share their experiences and learning. This is a new way for you to join people with similar health issues and consult with your GP, nurse or healthcare team for a longer period of time allowing for more in depth discussion and shared decision making.

The evidence is that following a group consultation approach patients feel more able to cope and keep themselves healthy through improved access and spending longer with their healthcare team.

All group members sign or verbally agree to a confidentiality and group clinic agreement. You can ask for a private discussion with the clinician if needed.

When do the clinics take place and how can I book?

Our diabetes group consultations currently take place on Tuesday afternoons.

I have been booked in for a clinic, is there anything I need to do before I attend?

We would like you to read and confirm you have read the following form before you attend, or confirm when you arrive at the group.

GROUP CLINIC AGREEMENT FORM

Where can I get further information?

If you have any further questions, you can read our frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, you can also contact the practice either using the contact us form above or on the telephone and ask our clinic co-ordinators to explain more about the clinics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are group clinics?

Group clinics are a way for you to spend more time with your doctor, nurse or GP, get your one to one review and get answers to your questions alongside others living with similar health issues. You may also get advice from specialist nurses and doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, social prescribing link workers and health coaches in this way.

You spend longer with the clinician than you would in a one to one appointment. People find having more time for questions and the chance to learn from other people’s experiences and share their own mean they learn more, cope better and often succeed in keeping themselves well.

Do I consent to participate?

Yes, there is a consent process in place and this helps you and others stay safe and preserves the whole group’s confidentiality.

What happens at a group clinic?

At your group clinic you get the clinical review and support you need. You get answers to your specific questions and there is group discussion about health issues too.

They will ask you to confirm your identity and check you are happy to take part. Then they will start the session by reminding everyone in the group to keep information confidential and to follow some simple group rules or understandings that help you to get the most out of the clinic and your time with your clinician.

Each member of the group introduces themselves. There is time to review and understand your condition and your main concerns about it. Then you come up with questions for your clinician who joins the group after about 15 minutes. When the clinician joins, they will discuss type 2 diabetes, lifestyle and medical management - they discuss and answer common questions with the group. Each individual will have the opportunity to speak to the doctor in turn while the rest of the group benefit from hearing the consultation. The facilitator wraps up after 60-90 minutes and you get the chance to reflect on what you have learnt and what you want to do next to keep well.

What’s the benefit of a group clinic?

Group clinics are up and running all over the UK. They have proved popular. People say that they enjoy hearing the experiences and getting advice from other people in a similar situation. They also like having longer with the clinician to talk about their concerns and for questions. They enjoy sharing what has worked for them with others and hearing about others’ successes. They feel less isolated and alone, managing their health issues. People who attend group clinics see their health improving and need to go to hospital less.

Can I still have a one to one telephone or face to face consultation with my doctor or nurse?

If there are complex issues that cannot be addressed during the group, the clinician will arrange a follow up appointment with you. Or they may need to get back to you with answers to specific questions that couldn’t be answered during the group though this is unusual.

What happens if I am late joining?

Our policy is that everyone must be signed in no later than 5 minutes after the agreed start time. This is because it is important that everyone is checked in, consents and signs up to the group understandings at the start. It is very disruptive for the group when people join late. If you are late, get in touch and we will book you into another group clinic or remote consultation. Contact the surgery by calling 01227 284300 to re-book.

How do I know a group clinic is for me?

You won’t know until you give it a go! People tell us they really enjoy the experience. Group clinics might not suit everyone. If you are feeling anxious beforehand, let the facilitator know. It is also OK to join a group and just listen and see if it is for you. You can even join in and decide to leave if it isn’t right for you. At any point you can leave a group.

What happens if I don’t want to say anything in a group clinic?

Do let your facilitator know if you are feeling worried about being in a group. It is OK to join a group to just listen. You will still learn a lot and many people who do this and end up joining in once they feel comfortable.

Can my partner, friend or carer join me in my group clinic?

Yes, with your agreement. It is often very useful for family members, carers or friends who support you to join. They need to consent to take part and agree to respect confidentiality, and confirm their identity just like other participants. Ideally you should just invite one person to join you; otherwise groups can get too large. Please let the facilitator know ahead of the time so we can add their name to the register.

How is my health information kept confidential during a group?

We assure this in three ways. First, before the group, all participants are sent an agreement to not to share any information discussed within the group. Unlike the confidentiality regulations surrounding a doctor’s obligation to keep all information confidential, this is not enforceable by law. However, as all participants will be sharing personal information, it is in everyone’s interests to respect this.

Second, when you join the session, the facilitator asks you to consent to share limited and relevant information about your condition with the group. This information will be shared with the group in the form of a Discussion Board. You consent verbally.

Third, the clinic team makes a record that you have consented and note this in your computer record.

Clinic teams get training and support in preserving confidentiality and safe information sharing. 

Will there be any follow up after the group clinic?

If a prescription has been agreed this will be sent electronically by the clinician after the clinic, they may also send you some resources if these have been discussed during the clinic. If you have any private concerns or the clinician feels you needs some further one to one time or follow up, then you can be booked in for a follow-up one to one appointment as usual.

You will be directed to further sources of support for your diabetes, including the possibility of one to one sessions with lifestyle advisor/health coach, further education programmes and follow up one to one appointments with the specialist nurse in the practice. You will be referred for diabetic eye screening.