Diabetes
March 2021 - COVID-19 update
COVID-19 vaccine information
COVID-19 vaccine information for endocrine patients
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine - NHS website
Vaccination FAQ
I don't think the classification of my priority category is accurate. What should I do?
The classification and prioritisation of people is based on details stored in your GP record. As such, if you have concerns about your category, please contact your GP.
Health conditions and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS website
Which vaccine should I have?
If you have diabetes or an endocrine disorder, we strongly encourage you to get the coronavirus vaccine and take whichever vaccine you're offered. This is because people in these groups are vulnerable to developing a severe illness if they do get coronavirus, and vaccines are the most effective way to prevent that from happening. All of the vaccines in the UK appear to offer good protection against severe disease and it is important to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Please don't delay having your vaccine.
When will I get the vaccine?
The vaccine rollout programme is rapidly proceeding and dates for vaccination are changing regularly. The COVID-19 vaccination programme is organised by local commissioners and general practice. As such, OCDEM is unable to provide you updates about when you are likely to be vaccinated.
Safety
The Government advice for people with diabetes is to 'be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures' to reduce transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
This involves reducing the social interaction you have with people.
What social distancing means
There are several websites which provide up-to-date and clear information:
Our leaflet has guidance on how to manage your diabetes during COVID-19, and also contains information on what support is available to you:
Supporting people with Diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic (pdf, 208 KB)
There is advice available on diabetes management from the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) website:
All routine Diabetes appointments are currently video or telephone calls, however all Podiatry patients should attend as planned.
Please only come to the department if you are asked to do so by a clinician.
Please do not contact the department with routine appointment queries at the moment. If you need to contact the department for diabetes management advice please email us:
Email: dsnop@ouh.nhs.uk
For urgent diabetes management advice please telephone:
Tel: 01865 857357
Seven days a week 8.00am - 4.00pm
New helpline for diabetes patients during COVID-19
For urgent diabetes management advice out of hours, please contact the on-call Diabetes team via OUH Switchboard:
Tel: 0300 304 7777
About us
Diabetes services at the Oxford University Hospitals are provided from the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM), which is based at the Churchill Hospital.
OCDEM is a unique clinical, academic and research partnership between the NHS, the University of Oxford and private enterprise.
Diabetes is a very common condition and expected to become very much more common as a result of increasing obesity in the population.
The complications of diabetes affect the heart, nervous system and kidneys as well as other parts of the body. Good control of diabetes and blood pressure greatly reduces the incidence of the complications, many of which impact on the quality of life, and some of which can be life-shortening.
Increasing support from GPs and specialist nurses in primary care, as well as support from hospital staff, allows patients much greater control of their disease and treatment regimes.
There are also many patients in other inpatient services with diabetes or other disorders that need to be treated in conjunction with other clinical conditions.
Staff at OCDEM work with a large number of collaborators across the UK and the world and have specific programmes on type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and genetics.
Oxford is the lead site for a major nationwide study on diabetes and has helped increase the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of diabetes and the importance of good control of blood glucose and blood pressure.
Find us and contact us
Diabetic Specialist Nurse Team
The Diabetic Specialist Nurse Team at OCDEM is happy to take calls from existing patients.
- Tel: 01865 857357
- Monday to Friday (not available weekends and bank holidays).
- There is an answerphone which is monitored regularly, so leave a message and the team will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Last reviewed:19 February 2024