To ask the Minister of Health to detail the support and advice available for people living with diabetes and their carers during the period of the Surge Plan.

Support and advice continue to be available for people living with diabetes during the current pandemic and diabetes services continue to be provided, although as in other areas of health and social care, these may be delivered differently with greater use made of technology and virtual clinics.

In respect of patient education to support people living with diabetes to self-manage their condition, educators have been trained to deliver more patient education programmes remotely and various online platforms are used to facilitate this, such as MyDESMOND, remote DAFNE and CHOICE programmes delivered via Zoom.

Dietetic input to treatment and care has continued via virtual clinics or follow-up on-line or via telephone, with urgent face to face contacts where necessary. In terms of podiatry, arrangements are in place to ensure that emergencies are seen within 48 hours, face to face contacts have also continued in addition to virtual contacts.

New and review appointments in Secondary Care have been uncompromised by COVID-19 and have continued as necessary. Newly diagnosed patients continue to be seen face to face with information and advice available through virtual and telephone follow-on reviews. Consultants can refer patients to a Diabetes Specialist Nurse and Diabetes Specialist Dietitian for follow-up. In antenatal/ gestational diabetes care, effective use has been made of virtual/remote sessions with speciality doctors to provide support and information to patients.

Insulin Pumps/Continuous Glucose Monitoring services have continued or re-commenced with virtual pre-pump assessments, pump starts and follow-ups in place and with home delivery for consumables where possible. Virtual sessions are in place to support the use of Freestyle Libre glucose monitoring system.

Any patient who has concerns about their diabetes can also engage with their GP, District Nurse or Health and Social Care Trust Diabetes team for support and information as necessary.

During the initial surge period, a Regional COVID-19 Diabetes Clinical Helpline was put in place to provide advice and support to people living with diabetes. The helpline, which operated between 7 April and 28 June, supported over 400 people and also provided advice and information to support health and social care professionals. The helpline is an example of the flexible and timely response of health and social care to ensure resilience in diabetes services. The potential to reinstate the helpline in the future is being kept under review.