Diabetes dietitians

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

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 and your overall wellbeing.

Location

Dietetic Department, Suite 9, 2nd floor Yellow Zone, University Hospital Lewisham

Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. We are closed on weekends and bank holidays.

Find it on a map >>

Contact

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

Tel: 020 8333 3091 or 020 8333 3314

Email: lg.diabetesdietitiansuhl@nhs.net

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.

Read more about the DAFNE programme

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.

Download our carbohydrate awareness group leaflet

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.

Download the Shopping For Health Tours leaflet

Other diabetes programmes in the area

South East London Integrated Care System support access to a range of courses depending on the type of diabetes you have, including pre-diabetes. You can find out more about the full range of support offered on their website:

Diabetes programmes: see what services are available in your area

Referral Information for primary care clinicians

Referrals for one-to-one clinic appointments

Any patient with type 1 diabetes.

Patients with complex type 2 diabetes who meet one, or more, of the criteria below:  

  • New to insulin, started by the community team or GP
  • Any established insulin regimen with an HbA1c > 65mmol/mol
  • Recurrent hypoglycaemia and impaired hypo awareness
  • Very low-calorie diet and does not fit the criteria for diabetes path to remission program. See the South East London ICS website for more information
     

Referrals for group sessions

For referrals to our Carbohydrate Education Group, patients must have type 2 diabetes with an HbA1c of 58 and above. Patients who attend this group are eligible for a two-week trial of the Freestyle Libre 2.

Anyone who does not meet our referral criteria, such as patients with non-complex type 2 diabetes, 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:

  • Referral forms available in DXS - on the referral named 'Lewisham Community Diabetes Dietitian referral form' 
  • Referral forms can then be emailed to tlh-tr.LewishamDietetics@nhs.net