Nanaimo Paediatric Diabetes Education Centre

Services are available for children and adolescents with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who are under care of a Pediatrician and/or Endocrinologist.

Individual appointments

Appointments are available with the following providers:

• Diabetes Nurse Educator
• Registered Dietitian
• Child Life Specialist
• Child Psychologist
• Pediatrician or Pediatric Endocrinologist

Please consider bringing the following to your appointment:

• Your blood sugar monitor and logbook (if applicable)
• List of medications and supplements
• A three day food record
• List of questions, concerns and/or goals
• Other diabetes supplies as applicable
• Insulin prescription (if starting insulin)
• Notebook and a pen

You may bring a family member or support person to the appointment with you.

Please come to the Diabetes Centre early as parking can be a challenge at some of our clinics. Please be aware that there is a cost for parking in some locations.

Diabetes Education

Comprehensive Diabetes Management Education and Support for Children and their Families (including but not limited to):

• initial diagnosis education and ongoing support
• three month follow-up with diabetes multidisciplinary team (as recommended by the Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines for diabetes management in children and adolescents)
• blood sugar monitoring information/certification
• insulin starts and adjustments for injection regimens
• initial pump training and education for advanced pump management
• carbohydrate counting
• nutrition counseling for all types of diabetes
• continuous glucose monitoring assessment for children with unpredictable blood sugars
• review of medical and psychosocial concerns from child and family
• individual and group psychotherapeutic interventions to children, youth and/or family members
• support offered by child life specialist to assist with challenging events and development of coping skills, as well as therapeutic and diversional play
• Hemoglobin A1C testing when indicated
• information about diabetes related community events
• referral to Transitional services as the adolescent approaches adulthood