Now that ‘virtual’ has become a reality, the time is right for using available technology more in order to keep in touch with our care teams. Plus, other online support ‘bubbles’ to improve our health (and happiness).
Most of us have now had to do something different with our diabetes due to Covid-19, whether it be attending a ‘virtual’ clinic either by phone or video, or finally starting to send your diabetes data via apps, emails or the cloud to your HCP.
Thanks to the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 we have been getting connected in ways that many might not have ever expected to be possible.
Call it online, digital, virtual, we have had to harness technology for our ongoing health needs, whether we liked it or not. Some of us may have been early adopters, having done a virtual clinic with our doctor, or gotten into the habit of downloading and sending our data to them. But for many, our recent leap into all things digital made for some pretty big changes in behaviours.
A study published in the journal Nature pointed out that Type 2 diabetes and hypertension were the most common comorbidities for earlier coronavirus infections too (including SARS and MERS-CoV). The researchers cite evidence of “a direct metabolic and endocrine mechanistic link to the viral disease process,” and they emphasise the importance of metabolic control amid the pandemic. The article went on to state, “This knowledge creates something of a dilemma within chronic-disease care. It’s more important than ever that patients with diabetes get the help they need, yet amid the pandemic they have typically been advised not to visit hospitals due to the risk of infection. The result is a new push from medical professionals and research teams into innovative ways to treat their patients from a distance. Even though social-distancing regulations are now being lifted, the demand for remote care – or telemedicine – is certain to continue growing.”
Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the world wide web spoke in an article for The Guardian, that “Covid-19 makes it clearer than ever: access to the internet should be a universal right.” He continued, “The Alliance for Affordable Internet, an initiative of the World Wide Web Foundation, which was the foundation that I co-founded with Rosemary Leith, has outlined urgent actions that governments and companies should take to provide this lifeline to more people as quickly as possible. We keep in touch with loved ones via computer screens in ways we couldn’t have imagined only three months ago, while the crisis has spawned myriad coping mechanisms – from a boom in online quizzes, art classes and workouts to a golden age for memes. And while many of us are cooped up indoors, we have seen examples of great collective endeavour and support: communities coming together to help each other and the most vulnerable, albeit keeping two metres apart.”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/04/covid-19-internet-universal-right-lockdown-online
Get connected
David Turner, Medtronic’s HCP Market Development Manager Diabetes UK & Ireland says, “At Medtronic we recognise how, in light of the current situation and the strict COVID-19 measures taken in the UK and Ireland, that many trainings for people living with T1 diabetes have been cancelled. We also recognise that you and your Healthcare Professionals (HCP) still need support for our diabetes devices and technology.
Therefore, Medtronic has established ‘Stay Connected Clinics’our new remote, virtual service. Through collaboration with your healthcare teams, we are now offering virtual appointments for those who require access and training for our products and services. To access this service your hospital/health board will sign a contract to ensure that your data is transferred to Medtronic in compliance with GDPR.
We can provide this service for those who are new to Medtronic technology as well as existing users and we have two options. The first option is when your HCP is present during your training and the second option does not require your HCP to be present. Training is provided by your Medtronic Technical Consultant.
The programme has been created with your safety in mind and offers technical training on Medtronic diabetes devices and technology. The appointments use tailored training materials for each session with knowledge checks along the way to support your learning. We also have a range of support materials such as “getting started guides” and product manuals and You Tube videos. Each session is supported by a lesson plan detailing learning objectives to ensure you get all the support you need. Training checklists and settings sheets can be completed by the Technical Consultant and sent to your HCP after the appointment, as confirmation of the programmed settings and training.
We are able to support you for the following products:
- MiniMed™ 640G pump only and MiniMed™ 640G CGM.
- MiniMed™ 670G pump only and MiniMed™ 670G CGM.
- Mio Advance Infusion sets.
- Guardian™ Connect CGM.
If you would like to find out more please don’t hesitate to contact your Medtronic team for information or support or visit: www.medtronic-diabetes.co.uk/contact
UPS Track and Trace for Home Deliveries
Medtronic is always looking to improve our customer experience, and we understand how important it is for you to have visibility of your shipments. This is why this month we have launched a new Track and Trace service with UPS for all home deliveries in the United Kingdom.
How does the system work?
Once a shipment has left Medtronic and is received by UPS, you will receive a notification from UPS by email. If we don’t have your email, the system will look for a phone number and send an SMS.
The notification from UPS will provide a tracking number and a link to allow you to track the status of the shipment along its journey allowing you peace of mind, knowing you will have the most up to date information on when you will receive your supplies. You can sign up for UPS My Choice® to change/reschedule delivery time or to re-route to an alternative address or UPS Access Point.
If you are currently registered for UPS My Choice®, you do not need to make any changes or take any action.
Remember you still register for UPS My Choice® by clicking onto this link: https://www.ups.com/gb/en/services/tracking/mychoice.page
