We have provided a range of digital training presentations below, which your health professional will advise you on.
Before starting your training, you may find it useful to watch this short animation from King's Nursing, called 'Starting Secondary School with Type 1 Diabetes'. Click here to view the video on YouTube.
If you require an alternative format to the downloadable content below for accessibility reasons, please email: kidsdiabetes@elht.nhs.uk
1)
Moving on up... pre-high school training session: Click here to download
2)
Moving on up... to high school - What to expect when you're expecting a teenager: Click here to download
3)
Moving on up... to high school - Eating, drinking and diabetes at high school: Click here to download
4)
Carbohydrate counting session... pre-high school: Click here to download
Accompanying activities and information
1) Practising carbohydrate counting over the summer: Click here to download
2) Carb counting reflection sheet: Click here to download
3) Approximate carbohydrates found in common high school meal choices: Click here to download
To help you when travelling when have gathered information that you may need for yourself and your equipment.
Top tips:
- Talk to your diabetes team at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel.
- Get adequate travel insurance. Make sure that it covers a child or young person with type 1 diabetes. Remember to read the small print!
- Carry identification stating that the child or young person has type 1 diabetes. You can request a customs letter from your Doctor or Nurse in the clinic to help carry your supplies through security at the airport. It is sometimes useful to carry a copy of an up to date repeat prescription with your usual supplies and insulin listed on it.
- Take double the amount of supplies and insulin than you would normally use for the same amount of time if you were at home. Always carry these in your hand luggage. It is a good idea to split these between a few bags if possible in case one bag gets mislaid.
- Time zones - find out what the time difference is between home and your holiday destination. Insulin that is given at a certain time at home may need to be altered whilst on holiday. Discuss this with your diabetes team.
Hot weather
Insulin needs to be kept out of direct sunlight so it is a good idea to carry it around in a cool bag such as the FRIO bag. If on a pump, keep under clothes or under a towel when in the sun.
Cold weather
Insulin and blood glucose meters do not tolerate cold weather so need to be kept close to the body if outside.
Blood Glucose
Be aware that you may need to do more blood glucose checks whilst on holiday in order to manage the different foods that you may be eating and the activities you may be doing.
To download the above information in a printable PDF format, please click here.
Advice from the Civil Aviation Authority and The Voice of UK Airports
Medical Device Awareness Card: Passenger
- Don’t forget to bring your medical evidence (e.g. letter from a medical practitioner) toconfirm your medical device such as an insulin pump or Continuous Glucose Monitoringsystem (CGMs). Have this ready to show the Security Officer, along with this card.
- Make the airport Security Officer aware of the device, and exactly what it is andwhere it is located.
- If you are carrying a spare medical device, remove it from your cabin bag before thex-ray and let the Security Officer know.
- And do contact the airport if you have any concerns or queries before you travel: notethat screening equipment and processes may differ from airport to airport.
- Please check with your return airport (if outside the UK) on their arrangements forscreening medical devices.
Medical Device Awareness Card: Security Officer
- Passengers with a medical device such as an insulin pump or Continuous Glucose Monitoring system (CGMs) should not be screened by a security scanner; if they opt out of this they must be offered an alternative screening method.
- Passengers must never be asked to remove a medical device from their body for screening.
- Medical devices (including spare devices) should not go through x-ray machines. Alternative screening processes can be undertaken such as hand search, supported by ETD.
To download the above information in a printable PDF format, please click here.
HbA1c: What's it all about?
HbA1c checks measure the amount of glucose attached to your red blood cells. Too much glucose in blood damages tiny blood vessels which can lead to complications. This check therefore helps us recognise when changes are needed to keep you healthy. Evidence shows the ideal HbA1c for long-term good health is 48mmol/l.
HbA1c range | Possible risks and actions |
130+ [Avg BG 14+] 91mmol/l |
Action: HbA1c in this range suggests diabetes care has been difficult for you |
90mmol/l [Avg BG 71mmol/l |
If HbA1c has increased: This suggests diabetes care is difficult for you at |
70mmol/l [Avg BG 59mmol/l |
Action: If HbA1c has reduced: Well done! Keep going with the changes you If HbA1c has increased: think about what is making diabetes care difficult for you, and any ideas that could help make things easier. You can also speak to the diabetes team about this. |
58mmol/l [Avg BG 48mmol/l |
WELL DONE! This is the optimum range, with the lowest chance of any risks, and the best chances of staying healthy long-term. Action: Keep up the fantastic work, well done! |
To download the above chart in a printable PDF version, please click here.
HbA1c table
HbA1c (mmol/mol) | Average Blood Glucose (bG) |
48 | 7.7 |
53 | 8.5 |
58 | 9.3 |
63 | 10 |
68 | 10.5 |
75 | 11.7 |
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