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Diabetes Clinic

Your child's first visit to the Diabetes Clinic (top)

Your child’s doctor has referred your child to the Diabetes Clinic at British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital (BCCH). This webpage will give you information about your appointment.

Please note: If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact the clinic as soon as possible (preferably, more than 48 hours in advance), so that your appointment time can be used by another patient.

If your child has been in contact with any infectious diseases (e.g. chicken pox or measles) during the three weeks before this appointment, please inform us as soon as possible, as your child may need to be rescheduled.

What is the Diabetes Clinic? (top)

This clinic is concerned with the care of infants, children and adolescents with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as some children who are at high risk of developing diabetes. We have a team approach to providing care to children and families. You will therefore meet several members of the diabetes team:
  • clerical staff to book appointments
  • diabetes nurse educators to help you understand your child's condition and treatment
  • diabetes dietitians to discuss lifestyle and nutrition management specific to your child’s stage of growth and development
  • a social worker/counsellor who can assist you in coping with the stresses of your child’s condition, as well as searching for helpful financial and mental health resources
  • physicians who are specialists in childhood diabetes (pediatric endocrinologists)
  • because BCCH is a teaching hospital, you may also meet doctors-in-training (pediatric residents, endocrinology fellows and medical students), dietitian interns and student nurses
Where is the Diabetes Clinic located? (top)

British Columbia's Children's Hospital
4480 Oak Street, Room K2-125
(Children's Ambulatory Care Building, 2nd floor, Area #12, orange section)
Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4 Canada
Phone: 604-875-2868 / Fax: 604-875-3231

Click here for a map to our clinics.

What happens at the first visit? (top)

You can get directions to the clinic from the admitting desk in the lobby. Normally, patients are pre-registered and come straight to the clinic. For new patients, the first visit to our clinic usually takes place on a Monday. Child care and food are not provided as part of the clinic visit.

We may contact your family prior to your first visit to determine your learning needs. If needed, some families will need to return for more in-depth teaching on another day.

Your child will be seen by a physician, a diabetes nurse educator and a diabetes dietitian. Each of these visits will last about 1 hour. You will be with your young child for the entire visit. Adolescents and their parents are welcome to see the clinic staff separately as well.

Your child will have an A1C done by fingerpoke, and you will receive the results in clinic.

Finally, your child will go to the laboratory for (non-fasting) blood and possibly urine testing. A detailed report of your child’s assessment will be sent to your referring doctor, and to other health professionals at your request.

Plan on being at the hospital for at least 4 hours on for your first clinic visit. Younger siblings may find this tiring, and although they are welcome, alternative babysitting arrangements may make your visit more comfortable.

Please let us know your questions and any way we can make your visit more comfortable.

What should I bring to the clinic visit? (top)

It is important to your child to make this visit as informative as possible, so the adult(s) who come with her/him should have the best knowledge of the history. If possible, bring previous height and weight measurements.

Please bring the following to each clinic visit:
  • your BC CareCard
  • your blue BC Children’s Hospital card (if you have one)
  • the blood glucose meter (if you already have one)
  • if you are already doing blood sugar testing, a written record of the logbook (at least 2–3 weeks’ worth)
  • if your child is on an insulin pump, please download it prior to the visit
  • your child's meal plan
Many parents find it helpful to bring a list of questions they would like to discuss when they are here.

"My child is scared of needles" (top)

Your child will likely require bloodwork at their first visit. EMLA® and Ametop™ are effective topical anesthetics when applied 1–2 hours prior to the “needle poke”. Ask the nurse or doctor about this when you arrive.

Can I see a social worker? (top)

Many of our patients or parents would like to see the social worker/counsellor on the first visit. If this is the case, please call her at 604-875-2345, x7091, so that she can book an appointment during the time you will be here.

What are the follow-up clinic visits like? (top)

We follow most patients every 6–12 months in the clinic, depending on your child's age, how far away you live, and your doctor's wishes. We will arrange a follow-up visit with you before you leave.

Follow-up visits are shorter, about 2 hours to see everyone and go to the lab if necessary.

Where can I find information about travel assistance, travel and accommodation? (top)

For information about the travel assistance plan, please go to out-of-town families. You can also find information about travel, and accommodation, and other resources.

The BC Family Residence Program can also assist some families with ground or air transportation: call 1-800-465-4911 or visit their website.

Interpreter services (top)

If an interpreter would be helpful for you, please phone the clinic as soon as possible and we will arrange for this.

Page Last Updated: 5 October 2012