Diabetes

There is no specifically funded ‘Diabetes Program’, however, diabetes remains a targeted Chronic Disease for the North West Slopes Division of General Practice (NWSDGP). NWSDGP therefore provides education and other activities to assist in improving care and self-management for diabetics; all done in collaboration with a GP Consultant.

The Division participates in intersectoral collaboration with other organisations, service providers and consumer/carer groups for improved care. The Division has:

  • convened a collaborative group to facilitate optimal diabetes care which includes 5 Divisions of General Practice within the surrounds of NWSDGP;
  • supported other organisation’s activities and/or conducted joint projects where applicable to improve diabetes care;
  • developed a Community Exercise Service Directory which is now being maintained by the Tamworth City Council;
  • in conjunction with Diabetes Australia and a Practice Nurse, the Division instigated a shopping centre public awareness exhibition on Diabetes for Diabetes Week;
  • provided an information session on Reducing Risk in Type II Diabetes, Discussion and Clinical Case Study for Practice Nurses and Pharmacists;
  • provided opportunities for collaboration between general practice and local diabetes educators and other relevant service providers.

The Division has improved practice systems leading to improved clinical outcomes for the management of diabetes and this has included:

  • practice based register and recall systems are reviewed for quality and effectiveness;
  • register and recall systems are promoted and supported by the Division including the recording of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin for patients with diabetes on register and recall systems;
  • pathology providers are approached to provide, with consent, results of HbA1c and total cholesterol for analysis and feedback to GPs for quality improvement in diabetes care;
  • annual cycle of care is promoted and supported by the Division diabetes program.

The Division provides evidence based education for GPs, Practice Nurses and allied health practitioners which also promotes the Diabetes Annual Cycle of Care. The Division facilitated access to an Information Session on Microalbuminuria, Type II Diabetes, prevention strategies, and dissemination of prevention and healthy lifestyle education material for general practice and consumers. Further education with a focus on Type II Diabetes is planned for 2008.

The Division has worked collaboratively with Peel Health Care to develop a “Diabetes Clinic Model of Care” which has been promoted by the University of NSW Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (CPHCE) and is being implemented throughout general practices in other Divisions including the Central Coast and Mid North Coast.

Useful Links

Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute

Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute was established in 2008 following the merger of the Baker Heart Research Institute and the International Diabetes Institute.

Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia is the national peak body for diabetes in Australia providing a single, powerful, collective voice for people living with diabetes, their families and carers.

Diabetes Counselling Online

This website is for people living with diabetes, their families and friends. It includes private counseling, links and resources, information about health professionals and an opportunity to share your story and read other stories about life and diabetes.

Diabetes for Kids and Teens

This website hosted by Diabetes NSW contains information for kids and teens with Type I Diabetes

Diabetes NSW

This website is for all people living with diabetes in NSW

Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Program - On line subsidy estimator

Programs & Services