Paediatric Diabetes Bedford

We are a team of specialist consultants, nurses, dietitians and psychologists. We work in Bedford and the surrounding areas giving advice, support and education to children and young people 0-19 years of age with diabetes, their families and carers. This includes insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring service.

Our service is part of the East of England Children and Young People’s Diabetes Network, and we work closely with the children’s diabetes team at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

Our paediatric clinics (0-16yrs) run at Bedford Hospital on Wednesday and mornings and Tuesday afternoons. Our young person’s (16-19 years) clinic for diabetes are on Thursday afternoons.

As a patient of the children’s service, you get:

  • Four clinic appointments per year with the team
    • At these, the team will check your height, weight, HbA1c and blood pressure. Together you will review how you are managing your diabetes and if any changes are needed. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get advice.
  • Access to Diabetes Specialist Nurses for queries and advice on day to day management and to discuss any concerns (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm).
  • Yearly clinic appointments with a dietitian specialising in diabetes to review diet and lifestyle management.
  • Access to the dietitians for any additional support you may need with carb counting.
  • Access to clinical psychology support, either though groups or, if you need extra support with the emotional aspect of living with diabetes, through in-person sessions.
    Specialist diabetes out of hour’s helpline

You can find out more on the Children’s Diabetes area of the website.

The Team

Consultants

Dr Khetriwal and Dr Ali are doctors who specialise in helping young people with diabetes. They will work with you to plan your treatment. They will check how you are doing at clinics and make adjustments if you need them. If you are managing other conditions as well as diabetes the consultants make sure the mix of treatments is right for you.

Nurses

Kalika and Chidi are specialist children’s diabetes nurses. They will help you with your day to day management of Diabetes. They will check your blood glucose control and help you make
insulin adjustments.
You can call them if you need advice (Mon– Fri, 8am–5pm).

Dietitian

Rebecca is a children’s dietitian specialising in diabetes. She can advise you on what to eat to stay happy and healthy with either T1 or T2. You can call her for advice or book a clinic to review your diet or to get help with any problems you are having.
If you have T1 Rebecca will teach you how to count the carbohydrates in the food you eat so you can give yourself the right amount of insulin for your specific needs.

Psychologists

Megan is a children’s psychologist specialising in chronic illnesses, including both T1 and T2 diabetes. She and her team run online and in person events to help patients learn, have fun and meet others with diabetes. If you are particularly struggling with your thoughts and feelings about diabetes speak to your nurse or consultant and you can be referred for 1:1 psychology sessions.