Digital diabetes note joins up information

23 December 2022

An electronic record designed specifically for diabetes patients has been heralded by health professionals working with diabetes patients as ‘game changing’.

One dietitian has spoken about how the digital diabetes consultation note (DCN) is saving her time, as she no longer has to write back to referring nurses or consultants. Victoria Oldham, Diabetes specialist dietitian in Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board explained,

“I can update the note and know that other relevant health professionals will also have access to it. As well as being more effective because all the information is in one place, it also saves an awful lot of time”

The note is accessed via the Welsh Clinical Portal and used to record, view and share diabetes patient information. Dr Gautam Das, a diabetes consultant, has been using the DCN since it was trialled at Prince Charles hospital in 2019. He said,

“it’s a game changer. It brings about a paradigm shift in the way we manage diabetes and maintain patient records”

The DCN is available for health professionals for diabetes care including dietetics, podiatry and antenatal in hospitals in Swansea Bay, Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Hywel Dda health boards, and will be launched in Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend early in 2023.