Endocrine Abstracts

Since the introduction of the reduction in hours for junior doctors in 1991, nurse led clinics (NLC) have increasingly become embedded into specialist practice. Whilst some NLC such as Diabetes and Respiratory have been established for many years, in the area of Endocrinology they are a newer evolving concept.Currently there is limited research in this area. An online survey was distributed to 98 nurse members of the Society for Endocrinology. The questi...

The Competency Framework for Adult Endocrine Nursing was launched at the Society for Endocrinology (SfE) BES conference in March 2013 and was made available to Endocrine nurses and Endocrine centres in the UK. It was also made accessible via the SfE website. Questionnaires were sent out 6 months later to audit its use.Results: 80.4% of nurse respondents had heard of the document and 69.6% had read it. 100% of those who had read it found it easy to use an...

Background: Pre-pituitary surgery, patients attend a ‘Pre-Pituitary Surgery Clinic’ (PPSC), to discuss management options and risks. Clinicians in attendance are; pituitary surgeon (1) registrar (1) endocrine team consultants (1–3), registrars (1–2) nurses (1) senior house officer (1) visiting doctors/medical students (4–6). Patients are informed a number of clinicians attend the clinic due to the multidisciplinary nature (MDT) and unit teaching respon...

The Endocrine service is predominantly out-patient based looking after a range of conditions with strong dependence on biochemical monitoring for clinical safety. Due to capacity demands we needed to explore the options available to facilitate safe monitoring with potential to increase capacity.The development of an IT based system allowed for the capacity increase, provided prompt communication with GP’s, improved patient safety, included a diagnos...

Aim: To develop a cost effective and individualised service model for GH replacement therapy based on a joint decision making process with patients and commissioners.Background: At University College London Hospital (UCLH), we have a caseload of about 300 adult patients treated with GH. Our in house structured GH treatment proforma is used at the patient’s initial consultation for joint decision making on prescribing the most suitable GH, e.g. non-r...

Acromegaly is a rare clinical condition resulting from prolonged and excessive release of GH from an adenoma within the pituitary gland. Somatostatin analogues are synthetic versions of Somatostatin, a hypothalamic peptide that inhibits pituitary GH release and is administered by monthly injection. This case describes a 31 year old gentleman with treated Acromegaly who was well established on a Somatostatin Analogue (Somatuline Autogel) on the home injection programme, suddenl...