American moving to England [Archive] - Children with Diabetes Forums

MovingtoUK

02-22-2007, 02:30 PM

Hi, We currently live in the US and are relocating to London for 2 yrs, starting this summer. I have a 5yr old who is Type 1 and currently on an insulin pump. It is working great for her so our goal is to keep her on it, although we have heard that pumps are not common in the UK.

I would love to hear from other ex-patriates who may have made a similar transition and how it worked out OR from UK residents who can give me some insight on diabetes care and the health system there. Here in the US, my daughter sees a pediatric endocrinologist every 3 mos, as well as a regular pediatrician. I'm also interested in hearing how the schools deal with diabetic kids and/or insulin pumps.

Thank you!

Jackie UK

02-24-2007, 02:18 PM

Hi

There is a family from the US with a 5 or 6 year old daughter who has an insulin pump. They are here in the UK for a couple of years. They belong to the UK children with Diabetes mailing list. I run the list for UK parents (or people moving to the UK or with UK connections. There are also quite a few children of around 6 years and younger with pumps living in various places in the UK who might be able to give you "heads up" on which hospitals to ask to be refered to. Also, the parents of the 5 year old have managed to secure funding for their daughter pump supplies. Pumps are not that common but the situation is getting better. There are about 40 -45 parents of kids who are pumping on the UK mailing list.

To join the UK mailing list go to this link which explains what a mailing list is and how to sign up . If you have any problems working out how to subscribe contact me and I can manually subscribe you.

There are definately hospitals in the London area to avoid like the plague. I dont live in London myself, but about 10 parents on the UK list live in the London area and will be able to suggest the best hospitals because not all deal with pumps.

The US family I refer to are living in Chichester rather than London but should be able to give you some info.

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/uk/

There can be problems with schools but not necesserily because of the pump but just school in general. Again some of the parents on the UK list might be able to point you towards good school and what questions to ask. The other thing is if you get in a good hospital the Diabetes Nurse will come and speak to the school and train them if needed.

Jackie Jacombs

Hi, We currently live in the US and are relocating to London for 2 yrs, starting this summer. I have a 5yr old who is Type 1 and currently on an insulin pump. It is working great for her so our goal is to keep her on it, although we have heard that pumps are not common in the UK.

I would love to hear from other ex-patriates who may have made a similar transition and how it worked out OR from UK residents who can give me some insight on diabetes care and the health system there. Here in the US, my daughter sees a pediatric endocrinologist every 3 mos, as well as a regular pediatrician. I'm also interested in hearing how the schools deal with diabetic kids and/or insulin pumps.

Thank you!