Diabetes Education Centre at North Shore Chronic Disease Services
- 2121 Marine Drive West Vancouver, BC V7V 4Y2
- nscds@vch.ca
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- (604) 984-5752 ext. 2
- Fax: (604) 297-9681
The Diabetes Education Centre has a multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals dedicated to providing education for prevention and self-management of diabetes. Our team consists of Registered Nurses and Dietitians with specialized training in diabetes care. We support North Shore clients of all ages and backgrounds and can arrange for interpreter services for non-English speaking clients (usually by telephone).
How to access
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Our services
- Group diabetes and prediabetes education
- Individual counselling appointments
- Insulin therapy
- Support for insulin pumps, continuous and flash glucose monitoring
- Diabetes and Pregnancy
- Pediatric Diabetes Clinic
- Young Adult Clinic (for clients transitioning to adult care) and
- Diabetes Foot Care (fees may apply)
Learn more about the diabetes services we offer below. For further information, please call (604)984-5752 Ext 2.
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Check eligibility
We serve North Shore residents diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose or glucose intolerance), diabetes in pregnancy and insulin resistance.
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Get a referral
A Physician or Nurse Practitioner referral is required. Have your Physician or Nurse Practitioner complete the North Shore Chronic Disease Services referral form and fax the completed form to (604) 297-9681.
North Shore Chronic Disease Services referral form
North Shore Diabetes Education Centre Coastal Rural-Remote Virtual Group Education Referral Form
Hours of operation
- Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
How to get here
The diabetes education centre is located on the 2nd floor in room 241.
Underground parking is available, as well as limited street parking.
Elevators are available from the underground parking lot.
Resources
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DEC food records
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New client information form
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GDM BG records
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Pregnancy info form
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Uploading at home instructions
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Prediabetes Group Education - Class Outline
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North Shore Community Resource List
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Diabetes Canada - ABCDESS of Staying Healthy
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Diabetes Canada - Driving Guidelines
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Diabetes Canada - Glycemic Index
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Diabetes Canada - Managing My Diabetes Action Plan
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Diabetes Canada - Staying Healthy With Diabetes
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Health Canada Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire - CANRISK
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On the Road To Diabetes Health - English
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On the Road To Diabetes Health - Chinese
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On the Road To Diabetes Health - Farsi
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On the Road To Diabetes Health - Punjabi
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Diabetes Canada - Prediabetes
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Diabetes Group Education
Our diabetes self-management education will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage your health. Our team consists of Registered Nurses and Dietitians with specialized training in diabetes care. The group program consists of three sessions held about one month apart. You will also have time to talk to the Nurse and Dietitian about any individual concerns.
Some of the topics covered in these classes include:
- What is diabetes? How is diabetes diagnosed?
- Healthy targets for blood values
- Optimal nutrition, glycemic index, carbohydrate counting and label reading
- Active living
- Strategies to improve cardiovascular health (cholesterol, hypertension)
- Taking care of your feet
- Preventing complications
- Medications
- Home glucose monitoring
- Goal setting
- Lifestyle modification (tobacco and alcohol use)
Prediabetes Group Education
Our prediabetes self-management education will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage your health. Our team consists of Registered Nurses and Dietitians with specialized training in diabetes care. The group program consists of two sessions held about one month apart. You will also have time to talk to the Nurse and Dietitian about any individual concerns.
Some of the topics covered in these classes include:
- What is prediabetes? How is it diagnosed?
- Healthy targets for blood values
- Optimal nutrition, glycemic index and label reading
- Active living
- Strategies to improve cardiovascular health (cholesterol, hypertension)
- Preventing complications
- Medications
- Goal setting
- Lifestyle modification (tobacco and alcohol use)
Individual Counselling Appointments
Our team consists of Registered Nurses and Dietitians with specialized training in diabetes care. Individual counselling appointments are available for clients with complex concerns as determined by the clinical team. This would include:
- Children with insulin resistance, prediabetes or diabetes
- Clients with Type 1 diabetes
- Individuals starting or adjusting insulin
- Individuals using insulin pump therapy/
- Non-English speaking clients (interpreter services available).
After we receive your physician's referral, our office will call you to book an appointment to see the Diabetes Nurse and Dietitian. Appointments may be up to 90 minutes long.
Please bring with you the following:
- A list of the medications and supplements you are currently taking
- Your glucometer and logbook, or if you are using an insulin pump or sensor, please upload before the visit (Uploading at home instructions)
- A record of the foods you have eaten for 4 days
You will be mailed a confirmation letter and an intake form to complete. You will receive an automated reminder call one week before your appointment. Follow-up appointments may be booked after your initial assessment.
Diabetes In Pregnancy Program
Our multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals includes Registered Nurses, Dietitians and Endocrinologists with specialized training in diabetes care. We provide education and care to pregnant women with Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes to help them have a healthy pregnancy, maintain glucose levels and prevent diabetes-related complications.
Initial visit
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to complete the Intake Form. Your spouse, friend or family member is welcome to attend with you. The initial visit will be a group education session taught by the Diabetes Nurse and Dietitian. In this session, you will learn about diabetes in pregnancy, how to use a glucometer, test for urine ketones and follow a healthy diet to maintain glucose levels within normal range and ensure healthy weight gain. You will also have time to talk to the Nurse and Dietitian about any concerns. This initial visit will be held on Tuesday mornings and will be about two hours long.
Follow up visits
Follow-up visits will include a meeting with the Nurse, Dietitian, and, if needed, the Endocrinologist to help support your healthy pregnancy. Follow-up visits are usually scheduled for 30 - 60 minutes weekly. Sometimes healthy eating and activity may not be enough to keep your glucose levels within target. Your team may recommend medications or insulin to help you manage your glucose for the rest of your pregnancy.
Pediatric Diabetes Clinic
Our multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals includes Registered Nurses, Dietitians, Pediatric Endocrinologists and Counselors with specialized training in diabetes care. They will review and support your child's diabetes care. Clinic visits are usually scheduled every three to six months. Appointments will be about 60-90 minutes long. Your child will have an A1C test done by finger poke.
You and your child will have an opportunity to learn about:
- Optimal nutrition, carb counting, sports nutrition
- Healthy growth patterns
- Insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring and sensors
- Blood glucose patterns
- Types of insulin, rotating injection/infusion set sites
- Mental health concerns
- School, travel, activity, sports and illness
- Treatment of hypoglycemia, using glucagon
To prepare for the clinic visit, please bring with you:
- Your glucometer and logbook with 2 weeks of records (glucose, insulin, carbs)
- If your child is using an insulin pump or sensor, please upload it before the visit (Uploading at home instructions)
- A list of medications or supplements your child is currently taking
Follow-up appointments will be made after each clinic visit.
Young Adult Clinic
Our multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals includes Registered Nurses, Dietitians, and Pediatric Endocrinologists with specialized training in diabetes care for young adults living with Type 1 diabetes. Working with you as a team, our goal is to support you in becoming independent in your diabetes management. Clinic visits are usually scheduled every three months, and appointments are approximately 60-90 minutes each.
You will have an opportunity to learn about the following:
- Food and nutrition, Carb counting, sports nutrition
- Healthy weight
- Blood glucose patterns
- Insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring and sensors
- Types of insulin, rotating injection/infusion set sites
- Travel, activity, sports and illness
- Driving
- Substance use
- Treatment of hypoglycemia using glucagon
- Any other topics you want to discuss at your appointment.
To prepare for the clinic visit, please bring with you:
- Your glucometer and glucose record
- If you are using an insulin pump or sensor, please upload it before the visit
- A list of medications or supplements you are currently taking
- Follow-up appointments will be made after each clinic visit.
Diabetes foot care
We focus on supporting clients in preventing diabetic foot complications, wounds and amputations.
Learn more about diabetes foot care services at this location.