Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN)

About the service

We aim to deliver high quality specialist diabetes care in the community, the service focuses on patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in primary and community settings using the optimal use of resources and innovative models of care which aim to empower and promote patient self-management.

How the service is provided

  • Consultant led multi-disciplinary clinics
  • Virtual clinics
  • Annual practice visits led by consultant
  • Locality link Diabetes specialist nurses
  • Community specialist Diabetes dietitian
  • Joint consultations by DSN and dietitian
  • Diabetes education for our type 1 population [DAFNE] and Type 2 population [DESMOND] and carbohydrate awareness course
  • Starting insulin together [group sessions]
  • Learning disability Diabetes group course

Meet the team

  • Dacorum

    DSN
    Elizabeth Wright

    Michele Coleman

    Clare Cunningham

    Lucy Emerson

  • Hertsmere

    DSN
    Anne Mohamed

    Irene Patel

  • St Albans and Harpenden

    DSN
    Nicole Bennett

    Jo Gray

    Duty Senior DSN
    Joanne McIntyre

  • Watford

    DSN
    Fiona McCabe Hughes

    Sonia Fullerton

    Natasha Shone

What will happen at your appointment

Aim is to empower and promote self-management of the client’s long term condition whilst referring and liaising with other health care professionals to improve outcomes.

Making a referral

Please visit our referrals page.

Helpful information for patients

Please visit our resources for patients page.

Helpful information for professionals

Please visit our resources for professionals page.

Group insulin start groups

These courses are run over 2 weeks by the DSN and Diabetes dietitian and enable people to transfer onto insulin with support. The course aims to increase knowledge and practice with insulin treatment aiming to minimise weight gain and improve dietary control at this crucial time. In the second week the patient has support with their control and to gain experience to manage their own diabetes with insulin.