Weymouth & Portland · Diabetes Team
One of the most common things people say after a diabetes diagnosis is: I feel fine. And that is often true. Diabetes does not always make you feel unwell — especially at first.
But it is working quietly in the background. And what you do now, before you feel any different, is when it matters most.
This page is for anyone living with diabetes or pre-diabetes in Weymouth and Portland. Whether you were diagnosed recently or have been living with it for years, there is always more available to you.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most manageable long-term conditions there is — what you do in everyday life matters more than any medication.
Diabetes is different for everyone. Understanding yours is the first step to living well with it.
Small, sustainable habits make a real difference. Not perfection — just a direction of travel.
Diabetes is lifelong. Living well with it means it fits around your life, not the other way round.
Step one
Diabetes is not the same for everyone — a bit like a glasses prescription. What works for someone else may not be right for you. These short videos are a good place to start.
A clear, plain-language explanation of what diabetes is, how it affects the body, and why it matters even when you feel well.
Diabetes UK · YouTube · Free
Managing diabetes is not just about avoiding sugar. This video explains how carbohydrates affect blood glucose and what that means in practice.
YouTube · Free
Practical information on how different foods affect blood glucose levels, and how to think about food choices without it becoming overwhelming.
YouTube · Free
The NHS guide to diabetes, covering types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and living well with the condition.
nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes · Free
Diabetes UKComprehensive, trustworthy information about all types of diabetes — including the Learning Zone with videos and practical guides.
diabetes.org.uk · Free
NHS DorsetLocal information covering diabetes services, the Path to Remission programme, driving on insulin, and pre-diabetes support.
nhsdorset.nhs.uk/diabetes · Free
Understanding your numbers
Your HbA1c is a measure of your average blood glucose over the past two to three months. It is one of the most useful tools you have for understanding how your diabetes is doing — but many people are never quite sure what it means.
Glucose is the type of sugar in your blood. Unlike a blood glucose reading taken at a single moment, the HbA1c gives a longer picture. It is the number your care team uses to understand whether your diabetes is well supported, and to make decisions about your care. Knowing your own number, and what it means for you, puts you more in the picture.
These are general guides, not fixed rules. If you have had diabetes for a long time, are older, or have other health conditions, your target will be individual to you. Your practice nurse will tell you what your target is. If you are not sure, just ask.
This section is for people who have not yet been diagnosed with diabetes. If you are already living with diabetes and your GP has said the same thing, the information about small changes and support further down this page applies to you too.
Pre-diabetes, or non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, means your blood glucose is above normal but not yet in the diabetic range. It is not a diagnosis of diabetes — and it does not have to become one.
More than 6,000 people across Weymouth and Portland are in this position. Small changes at this stage make a real difference. Ask your GP or practice nurse whether you are eligible for a free NHS prevention programme.
Practical information and tools to help you understand pre-diabetes and reduce your risk, including healthy eating guidance, a risk checker, and NHS prevention course information.
Step two
Living with diabetes involves a lot of small decisions every day. The goal is not perfection. It is finding an approach that works for your life and that you can sustain long term.
Most people with Type 2 diabetes are not prescribed blood glucose monitoring equipment. Your HbA1c, measured at your regular review, is the main number to follow. It gives a picture of how your blood glucose has been over the past two to three months — more useful than any single reading.
There is no single diet that works for everyone with diabetes. Managing diabetes is not about avoiding sugar entirely — it is about understanding how different foods affect your blood glucose, and finding an approach you can sustain.
Physical activity can help to lower blood glucose. It does not have to be intense — even a short walk after eating makes a difference. The best movement is the kind you will actually do.
Medication and everyday choices work together, not instead of each other. Taking medication as prescribed, even on days when you feel well, is part of how diabetes is kept well supported.
The number of younger people being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes is rising. Being diagnosed under 40 carries a higher risk of complications compared to later-life diagnosis — but it also means you have more time, and more opportunity, to make changes that matter. Your practice nurse can make sure you are getting the right support for your age and circumstances.
For anyone recently diagnosed. Friendly and informal, run by the Weymouth and Portland diabetes specialist dietitian and nurse. In person across two three-hour sessions, or online across three two-hour sessions including evenings. Join in as much or as little as you like — no preparation needed.
In person and online · 01305 234090 or w&p.pcn@dorsetgp.nhs.uk
For people who have been living with Type 2 for a while. No preparation needed, no personal information required unless you choose to share. Updates on information and equipment, questions to the diabetes team, and the chance to meet others in the same position.
Venues across Weymouth and Portland · 01305 234090
Step three
Diabetes is a lifelong condition. Living well with it means it fits around your life — your work, your relationships, your circumstances. Your ability to focus on it will vary over time, and that is normal.
Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or worn down by the demands of managing diabetes is a recognised and very common experience. It is not a failure. It is a known part of living with a long-term condition, and it is worth talking about.
Poor sleep raises blood glucose, makes it harder to lose weight, and affects your health and how you feel generally. Caring responsibilities, work, and stress are all real — the point is not to add another thing to feel bad about. But if sleep is a persistent problem, it is worth mentioning at your next review.
If you are frequently woken by snoring, gasping, or feeling unrefreshed even after a full night, ask your GP about sleep apnoea — it is more common in people with diabetes and is very treatable.
For some people with Type 2 diabetes, remission — where blood glucose returns to a normal range without medication — is achievable. It is not the right goal for everyone, but it is worth knowing it exists.
Videos, guides, and practical tools covering every aspect of living with diabetes. A good place to return to at different stages.
In Weymouth & Portland
Your practice nurse or GP is your first stop for diabetes queries. You also have access to local specialist support across all the GP surgeries in Weymouth and Portland.
Specialist nutrition support for people with diabetes. Clinics at most Weymouth and Portland GP surgeries. Ask your practice nurse or GP for a referral.
Via your GP practice · Free
Specialist nursing advice, available via your practice nurse.
Via your practice nurse · Free
Free support and coaching around movement, food, sleep and general wellbeing. Self-refer and choose what suits you.
livewelldorset.co.uk · Free · Self-refer
Free NHS talking therapies for people in Dorset. You can refer yourself directly — no GP needed. Includes support where diabetes is affecting your mood or daily life.
steps2wellbeing.co.uk · Free · Self-refer
If you have Type 1 diabetes, or any type of diabetes and are pregnant, your care comes from the team at Dorset County Hospital. Some services are delivered locally. If getting to appointments is difficult, ask about phone or video options.
dchft.nhs.uk
When to contact your GP or practice nurse
About hypoglycaemia (hypos)
Most people with Type 2 diabetes are not at risk of hypos. Hypos are mainly a risk if you take gliclazide or insulin. If you are on either of these, it is worth knowing the signs: shaking, sweating, confusion, or feeling suddenly unwell. The TREND hypo guide explains what to do. Contact your GP if hypos are frequent or severe.
Call 999 or go to A&E if someone is in immediate danger or you are very worried that waiting is not safe.