Diabetes resources in Argyll and Bute

Type 2 diabetes

Read First line advice for type 2 diabetes prevention and self-management (pdf, July 2024). Links to these resources are also published throughout our diabetes health and wellbeing pages.

See also Type 2 Diabetes Prevention at Living Well in Argyll and Bute.

Options available to support people living with, or at risk of developing, type 2 diabetes include:

education programmes which aim to improve people's understanding of their diabetes, including blood results, medication, lifestyle changes and the impact of stress
programmes to support people in making changes to manage their weight
specialist support in exploring and managing the behavioural aspects of our eating, including emotional eating

Type 1 diabetes

Children, young people and families

The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Child and Adolescent Diabetes Service provide support to children and families living with diabetes throughout Argyll and Bute.

Read resources to support children, young people and their families to manage type 1 diabetes (pdf, July 2024).

Adults

A structured diabetes education programme can support people with a number of aspects of type 1 diabetes management:

carbohydrate counting
interpreting and responding to blood glucose results
managing exercise
travel, holidays and driving

People referred to our services receive an in-depth telephone assessment with a specialist to discuss their needs and wishes for support, being signposted to the most appropriate service.

Diabetes education programmes

The Argyll and Bute Dietetics service offer a range of programmes to support people living with diabetes in Argyll and Bute. If you self-refer or 'opt in' for support, you’ll be booked for a telephone appointment with one of our specialist clinicians. During this appointment, your clinician will:

learn more about your journey with diabetes
provide information about living well with diabetes
discuss our self-management programmes

Read this information as a pdf document (pdf, August 2025) instead.

Type 2 and pre-diabetes programmes

MyDesmond

An online, interactive self-management programme with three options:

Baby Steps - for previous gestational diabetes
My Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes Prevent - for pre-diabetes

X-PERT Diabetes

A digital programme and/or non-digital handbook to help you learn more about managing or reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Available in various languages and audiobook formats.

Type 1 diabetes programme

BERTIE Online

An online education programme that helps people manage insulin around their lifestyle. After completing the programme:

you’ll be offered an appointment with a diabetes nurse and dietitian
you’ll receive a Carbs and Cals book and a printed copy of the BERTIE handbook (if required)

Completion of BERTIE is part of the insulin pump pathway and referral criteria. Carbohydrate counting support is also available.

Diabetes services and resources

Diabetes

Diabetes is a long term condition that causes blood glucose levels to become too high.
Diabetes resources in Highland

Resources and support for those living with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes resources in Argyll and Bute

Resources and support for those living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Emotional health and diabetes

Managing diabetes is an ongoing and often challenging task, which can be wearing on our emotional health too.
Diabetes UK

Diabetes UK is a trusted, clinically approved source of information.
Diabetes - specialist team contacts

Contact details for the diabetes specialist teams at NHS Highland.
Diabetic eye screening

Diabetic eye screening (DES) is also known as diabetic retinopathy (or retinal) screening (DRS).
Diabetic eye screening (easy read)

Diabetic eye screening is for people aged 12 years and over with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The test is to look for d...