Diabetes dietitians

We are a team of specialist diabetes dietitians supporting adults with diabetes at University Hospital Lewisham and other community sites in the borough.

Our goal is to empower people living with diabetes to make informed food and lifestyle choices, and to support healthcare professionals in delivering high-quality diabetes care.

We work with people who are living with:

  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Other types —  Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LADA), Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), steroid-induced diabetes

We offer support through one-to-one appointments and a range of group education sessions designed to help you understand the impact of food and nutrition on your diabetes diagnosis and your overall wellbeing.

Contact us

If you have questions or would like more information about our services, please get in touch:

Phone: 020 8333 3091 or 020 8333 3314

Email: lg.diabetesdietitiansuhl@nhs.net

Opening hours

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm 

We are closed on weekends and bank holidays.

Address

Dietetic department
University Hospital Lewisham
Lewisham High Street
London
SE13 6LH

Our group education sessions

We run various group sessions across the borough for people with different types of diabetes. Referrals are required for most groups.

DAFNE (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating)

This nationally accredited course for people with Type 1 diabetes focuses on flexible insulin dosing, carb counting, and lifestyle confidence. This course is run with small groups over multiple sessions.

Link to DAFNE

VICTOR (Varying Insulin doses for Changes to Routine)

VICTOR is a new education programme developed by the national DAFNE programme. This course has been designed for adults with type 2 diabetes who use multiple daily injections of insulin.”

Carbohydrate Awareness Group

An introductory session for people with Type 2 diabetes focusing on how carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels, portion sizes, and balanced eating.

We provide one Freestyle Libre glucose sensor to trial that lasts for two weeks to see how your food choices affect your blood glucose levels.

DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed)

A structured education course for those newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and those looking to refresh their knowledge.

NHS South London Diabetes Education Booking Service

Supermarket Shopping Tour

For patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This is a practical session led by a dietitian in a real supermarket. Learn how to read labels, choose balanced options, and plan for your own health goals.

Referral Information for primary care clinicians

Referral criteria

Any patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM)

Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)

New to insulin, started by the community team or GP

Any established insulin regimen with an HbA1c >65mmol/mol

Recurrent hypoglycemia and impaired hypo awareness

Very low-calorie diet and does not fit the criteria for Diabetes path to remission program (see below for this referral criteria)

On maximum oral therapy and/or starting a GLP-1

Carbohydrate education group with Libre 2-week trial - HbA1c >58mmol/l

Shopping tour – T2DM

Those who do not meet our referral criteria can be referred to the Bromley Healthcare Dietetic service.

 

How to refer

Please include the patient’s diagnosis, recent HbA1c, current medications, relevant clinical notes, and reason for referral.

Referrals can be made via:

  • Lewisham GP EMIS referral template – Select Diabetes Dietitians
  • Electronic Referral System (eRS) – search for ‘Lewisham Diabetes Dietitians’