Diabetes (Mellitus) is a condition of disordered metabolism caused by an alteration of sugar metabolism.  Broadly speaking there are two types of diabetes which are either due to a diminished production of insulin (Type 1) or resistance to its effects (Type 2 or maturity onset). Type 2 Diabetes is also associated with gestational diabetes of pregnancy. Both types are usually due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes.

People with Diabetes experience abnormalities in their blood sugar levels which are normally controlled by a complex interaction between multiple chemicals and hormones in the body, most importantly the hormone insulin which is made in the pancreas. Untreated, Diabetes  leads to high blood glucose levels which  in turn can damage nerves, blood vessels, kidneys and eyes. 

Uncontrolled high blood sugar causes the acute signs of diabetes (excessive urine production, compensatory thirst and increased fluid intake, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, lethargy, and changes in energy metabolism).

Diabetes has been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921, but there is no cure. Insulin injections remain the basic treatment of type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes tends to be managed using a combination of dietary treatment, exercise, medications and insulin supplementation.

Adequate treatment of diabetes, increased awareness of blood pressure control and lifestyle factors (such as not smoking and maintaining a healthy body weight), significantly improve the risk profile of most of the chronic complications.

Members of our team of General Practitioners and General Internal Physicians are able to support patients with Diabetes alongside our Specialist Diabetes Nurse Sr Julie Parker who provides regular clinics and support for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Diabetic eye screening is also provided by Dr Keti Pachkoria, our Ophthalmologist, whilst diabetic foot checks are performed by Kayron Pozo, our Podiatrist.

Our Diabetic Service team provides:

  • Baseline assessment of disease status and current medications
  • Dietary and lifestyle planning and monitoring
  • Regular insulin and glycaemic control monitoring and treatment
  • Eye and renal checks
  • Foot health check
  • Management of disease complications

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Your Specialists

I'm still learning"

Dr Patrick Nerney

General Practitioner/ Family Medicine/ Occupational Health

Areas of expertise

General Practice Occupational Medicine Travel Medicine


Education and professional training

Cardiff University Manchester University Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine


Professional Qualifications, Associations & Accomplishments

GMC and GMRB registered


Professional experience

GP 45 years Occupational medicine 10 Years


Languages spoken

English and Spanish


Interests

Squash/ Sailing/ Wine making/ Lifestyle Medicine


Dr Isabella Bassill MA(Oxon) MBChB FRCP

General Internal Physician

Areas of expertise

Extensive experience in all areas of general medicine including the diagnosis and management of hypertension, asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, infections and blood clots. Special interest in complex patients with multiple medical problems and in the diagnosis of unexplained breathlessness, chest pains and fatigue. Previously ran the GHA long COVID clinic.


Education and professional training

University Of Birmingham. University of Oxford.


Professional Qualifications, Associations & Accomplishments

On the GMC specialist register as a Consultant in Acute and General Internal Medicine. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London). Member of the Society for Acute Medicine and the European Respiratory Society.


Professional experience

Dr Bassill completed her post graduate training in West and East Midlands. This included higher specialist training posts in Intensive Care, Respiratory, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Geriatrics, Accident and Emergency and Stroke Medicine. After qualifying as a Consultant in Acute and General Internal Medicine, she took a Consultant Physician post at the Royal Derby Hospital in 2015. In 2020 she moved to Gibraltar and worked as a General Physician at St. Bernard's Hospital for 18 months before joining the Specialist Medical Clinic.


Languages spoken

English


Interests

Before studying Medicine I completed a Masters degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford. Reading is my main leisure activity.