11 July 2024

With the right planning and preparation, women with diabetes can “absolutely” have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

This positive message from mother-of-two, Rachel Hicks (pictured), comes as National Diabetes Week, 14 to 21 July, focuses on improving access to the life-saving technology people with diabetes need to live well.

Mrs Hicks, from the Southern Highlands, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was five years old, said access to an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor had been life-changing for her.

“Having diabetes as a child and a teenager, you get a lot of pressure to just fit in,” she said. “So, I was on manual injections for a very long time, and I was very against having an insulin pump for a long time as a kid.

“Encouragement from my team (at Macarthur Diabetes Service at Campbelltown Hospital) and being able to access an insulin pump through private health insurance, changed this when I was 17. I was told the pump would really help me get my diabetes in the most ideal space for my circumstances.”

For women with diabetes, understanding and managing the risks of unplanned pregnancies, undertaking pre-pregnancy planning and maintaining glycaemic control before and throughout pregnancy can significantly increase the chance of having a healthy baby.

Having high glucose levels during pregnancy, increases the chance the baby may not develop properly. It also can increase the risk of loss or stillbirth.

Mrs Hicks said when she decided to start a family, she’d been lucky enough to be among the first patients to access the Diabetes Contraception and Pre-pregnancy Program (DCAPP) when it was introduced at Campbelltown Hospital.

She said she had understood before becoming pregnant there would be challenges, and her diabetes may cause complications which could have long-term effects for her and her baby.

But, at the same time she knew she could be prepared.

“What really made a difference for me was my treating team, in addition to the introduction of DCAPP thanks to Professor David Simmons.” she said.

“It was really great to have the treating team in Campbelltown. They used language which was empowering and at every appointment they’d emphasise something that I’d done well.”

DCAPP has been designed to develop a more integrated approach to supporting women of childbearing age with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Similar programs implemented elsewhere have reduced the rates of congenital malformations, miscarriage and stillbirths by up to 70 per cent.

South Western Sydney Primary Health Network is working in partnership with Western Sydney University and South Western Sydney Local Health District to implement the program in our region.

Mrs Hicks said it took a couple of years to get her diabetes in the space where she felt comfortable to be able to manage it and start trying for a baby.

Her pregnancy planning team included a diabetes educator, an endocrinologist and a GP, who worked collaboratively to improve her blood glucose management and put plans in place to prepare for extra low blood sugar levels, and ensure she had access to the most appropriate devices.

She said glucose monitors became more readily available around the time she was thinking about starting a family, with the introduction of a government subsidy.

“The glucose monitor removed a lot of the calculations and the decisions I’d have to make on a daily basis.

“Going through my first pregnancy there was so much more information to take on about what I needed to do for myself, for my baby, for my family during that time, so it was good to have a little bit of pressure relieved with access to a glucose monitor and getting more data on what was happening with my diabetes.

“My team helped me sign up for the glucose monitor subsidy and made sure I had all the tools I needed, even getting an updated ketones tester because I was still testing ketones manually.”

Mrs Hicks is also undertaking PhD research examining lived experiences of diabetes and pregnancy. She said in addition to tailored support like she had received, women with diabetes planning pregnancy could also benefit from the good peer support communities which existed and hearing about the experiences of others.

“As part of my research, I want to develop initiatives which are made by the community, for the community, to help improve pregnancy outcomes for people with diabetes. I also want to improve collaboration between those with lived experience of diabetes and pregnancy and healthcare professionals.”

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are thinking about having a baby, pre-pregnancy planning is vital. Speak to your GP about how you can prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy.

08 July 2024

Women with diabetes who have glucose levels outside target ranges and become pregnant are at increased risk of pregnancy related complications and poor birth outcomes.

Having support from a GP to plan and manage the pregnancies of women with diabetes can reduce complications for both the mother and baby.

South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) is hosting a webinar during National Diabetes Week, 14 to 21 July, which emphasises the importance of having routine conversations with patients about managing their diabetes before becoming pregnant.

Head of the Campbelltown Hospital Endocrinology Department, Professor David Simmons, will present the Diabetes Contraception and Pre-pregnancy Program (DCAPP) webinar on Thursday, 18 July, from 7pm.

What is DCAPP?

DCAPP has been designed to develop a more integrated approach to supporting women of childbearing age with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

SWSPHN is working in partnership with Western Sydney University and South Western Sydney Local Health District to implement the program in our region.

For women with pre-existing diabetes, understanding and managing the risks of unplanned pregnancies, undertaking pre-pregnancy planning and maintaining glycaemic level target ranges before and throughout pregnancy can significantly increase the likelihood of having a healthy baby.

Similar programs implemented elsewhere have reduced the rates of congenital malformations, miscarriage and stillbirths by up to 70 per cent.

DCAPP aims to open up early conversations between GPs and their patients about the seriousness and potential complications of becoming pregnant if the patients’ diabetes is not well-managed.

It provides GPs with guidance on managing these patients, including about referring patients with diabetes who are planning pregnancy to one of the diabetes pre-pregnancy clinics across our region. For patients who are not planning pregnancy, GPs are encouraged to discuss the importance of contraception with your patients with diabetes.

How are patients benefiting from DCAPP?

Mother of two, Rachel Hicks (pictured), was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was five.

She said encouragement and support from her treating team at Macarthur Diabetes Service at Campbelltown Hospital, and Professor David Simmons introducing the Diabetes Contraception and Pre-pregnancy Program (DCAPP) at Campbelltown, made all the difference when she decided to start trying for a family.

Her team included a diabetes educator, an endocrinologist and a GP, who worked collaboratively to improve her blood glucose management and put plans in place to prepare for extra low blood sugar levels, and ensure she had access to the most appropriate devices like an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor.

“Going through my first pregnancy there was so much more information to take on about what I needed to do for myself, for my baby, for my family during that time. It was good to have a little bit of pressure relieved with access to a glucose monitor and getting more data on what was happening with my diabetes.”

How can diabetes care be more accessible?

Mrs Hicks is also undertaking PhD research examining lived experiences of diabetes and pregnancy, including working with DCAPP to look at peer support models.

She said her research had highlighted how there couldn’t be a one-size fits all approach to providing accessible care to, and engaging with vulnerable communities across South Western Sydney, including people from culturally linguistically and diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

“We’ve seen with diabetes programs delivered at Campbelltown Hospital for example, where our treating teams going out into the communities deliver some services in spaces which are more suitable and for those communities.

“And we saw hybrid models of care throughout the pandemic as well – a mixed delivery of services which has been beneficial, especially for women with diabetes who are concerned about how medicalised their pregnancy is going to be.

“If there’s any options for making care more accessible or equitable, like the option of the hybrid model of care, that would be most beneficial.”

Support for your practice

SWSPHN will run a POLAR report for interested practices in our region, to identify patients diagnosed with diabetes who are of childbearing age. The report will help develop a recall list, enabling you to engage those patients in discussions about pre-pregnancy planning and contraception. Our diabetes co-ordinator Alyssa Horgan is available to visit practices to assist in setting up a recall process.

For bookings or enquiries, contact Alyssa via email at alyssa.horgan@swsphn.com.au or phone 4632 3088.

Webinar details

The Diabetes Contraception and Pre-pregnancy Program webinar will:

  • educate GPs on potential maternal and neonatal outcomes if a woman’s diabetes is not controlled before pregnancy
  • which medications should be stopped, substituted or introduced before pregnancy
  • why they should refer patients to a diabetes pre-pregnancy planning clinic

It has been RACGP-approved for 1.5 Educational Activities hours.

Visit the SWSPHN website to register.

Additional resources

Download the flyer for ways to support your at-risk patients

Visit HealthPathways for pre-pregnancy planning for type 1 and type 2 diabetes pathways

Visit SWSPHN’s website to find diabetes resources for GPs

Visit Diabetes Australia for information about National Diabetes Week

27 May 2024

Victim-survivors shared stories of their recovery journeys and what gives them hope, at this month’s official launch of the Supporting Recovery from Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Program at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in Liverpool.

Delivered by CatholicCare Sydney and Anglicare Sydney, the Supporting Recovery program addresses the critical need for comprehensive support services for victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) in our region.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has funded South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) and five other PHNs, to deliver the $67 million Supporting Recovery pilot program.

The program aims to address the current FDSV mental health recovery service gaps by offering long-term recovery support which complements existing short-term and crisis support programs.

SWSPHN Amy Price speaking at the Supporting Recovery launch
SWSPHN Director of Planning and Performance, Amy Prince speaking at the Supporting Recovery launch.

SWSPHN Director of Planning and Performance, Amy Prince, spoke during the event about the urgency and importance of the program for our region.

“In South Western Sydney last year, unfortunately, there were around 5,200 domestic violence-related assault offences. The areas of Campbelltown, Liverpool and Fairfield have the highest representation, but we know many more cases go unreported,” she said.

“Last year, SWSPHN had the opportunity to apply for grant funding from the Department of Health and Aged Care to deliver the Supporting Recovery program. We were one of just six PHNs selected, and we are so grateful to be able to bring this service into South Western Sydney, as we know it’s very much needed here.

“I’m really proud to be part of an organisation that’s been able to fund this service, and I really look forward to seeing the program achieve positive outcomes for victim-survivors in our region.”.

The Supporting Recovery program is designed to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care for victim-survivors of FDSV.

Panel at the Supporting Recovery launch
Panel discussion at the Supporting Recovery launch

One of the panellists emphasised the significant positive impact of programs like the Supporting Recovery program.

“I’m living in recovery from complex PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from generational trauma, so I believe passionately that domestic violence services like this one are vital for the safety and healing of those of us trying to live and heal from domestic and sexual violence,” the panellist told the crowd.

“I have hope because I get to talk to people about these things. When I was growing up, we didn’t have the words for it.”

Attendees also heard from a First Nations person and survivor advocate about providing cultural safety and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander FDSV victim-survivors.

“You need to remember it takes a lot for Aboriginal people to be able to trust other services and people because of their past history. It’s about active listening, so use your approach as a yarning rather than talking across or to someone,” the crowd was told.

“It’s about having that understanding about us, making us feel safe so we can open up to you because we will very rarely ask for help from anyone unless it’s really necessary.”

 
Werriwa MP Anne Stanley at the Supporting Recovery launch
Werriwa MP Anne Stanley at the Supporting Recovery launch

Werriwa MP Anne Stanley was also in attendance at the launch event on behalf of Emma McBride, the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

“This pilot comes at a time when family and domestic violence is reaching a boiling point in our society, and it’s about time it has come to the national spotlight,” she said.

Find out more about the program

 

If you are currently experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence and need crisis support, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 000.

 

09 May 2024

The South West Sydney Expert Menopause Panel will host this month’s MenoECHO on Monday, 27 May at 6pm.

The free online event is aimed primarily at GPs, endocrinologists, gynaecologists, nurses and allied health professionals.

The program offers online sessions on the fourth Monday of every other month.

Sessions feature expert-led presentations on menopause, followed by discussions on case studies. They will cover topics with increasing complexity and shaped by feedback from attendees.

Organisers soon hope to have CPD accreditation from RACGP and ACRRM.

Download the flyer

Find out more

07 May 2024

Village Connect is a unique child and family hub designed by Karitane in partnership with Sonder and Uniting to support parents living in South Western Sydney who are pregnant and/or have a child.

The hub brings together child and family health services, key workers and a wide range of resources to ensure parents get the help they need, when they need it.

It aims to improve the confidence and skills of parents in connecting with and raising their child through a range of support services including playgroups, parenting workshops and care navigation services.

Nurses, wellbeing experts, and psychologists also offer parents access to 24/7 confidential medical, safety and mental healthcare support via the Sonder app

Village Connect also offers multilingual support, including:

  • In-app chat: more than 240 languages
  • Phone or video: more than 300 languages via translation service
  • Full App translations: available in Mandarin, Bengali, Cantonese and Thai

Find out more about Village Connect
30 April 2024

Your patients can now access a new program which supports people who have experienced family, domestic or sexual violence to connect with services to assist with their long-term recovery.

Anglicare Sydney and CatholicCare Sydney began service delivery of the key mental health component of the SWSPHN-funded Supporting Recovery from Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Program in April.

The program officially launched at the Casula Powerhouse in Liverpool on 1 May.

Services are initially being delivered from hubs based in the Campbelltown, Liverpool and Fairfield communities due to higher rates of family, domestic and sexual violence in those local government areas (LGAs).

However, services may be expanded across Bankstown, Camden, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly LGAs based on need and demand. 

The Supporting Recovery program includes access to:

  • a Local Care Team to help clients coordinate and manage their recovery journey, including connecting clients with a range of other services such as legal, financial and housing supports
  • trained psychologists, social workers and counsellors who specialise in providing trauma-informed and client-centred mental healthcare
  • holistic, culturally appropriate mental health services which are available at no cost for a period up to two years

Your patients do not need a doctor’s referral. They can access the service by calling 1300 316 554 or going online and completing a self-referral.

Find out more
02 April 2024

Your patients who have experienced family, domestic or sexual violence can now seek help from a new SWSPHN-funded program which aims to provide victim-survivors with access to services to support their long-term recovery.

Anglicare Sydney and CatholicCare Sydney are delivering the Supporting Recovery from Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Program in South Western Sydney.

The program aims to fill a gap in access to longer term mental health recovery services for victim survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence, and to work alongside existing services already in place providing short-term and crisis support.

Services are initially being delivered from hubs based in the Campbelltown, Liverpool and Fairfield communities due to higher rates of family, domestic and sexual violence in those local government areas (LGAs).

However, services may be expanded across Bankstown, Camden, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly LGAs based on need and demand. 

The Supporting Recovery program includes access to:

  • a Local Care Team to help clients coordinate and manage their recovery journey, including connecting clients with a range of other services such as legal, financial and housing supports
  • trained psychologists, social workers and counsellors who specialise in providing trauma-informed and client-centred mental healthcare
  • holistic, culturally appropriate mental health services which are available at no cost for a period up to two years

Patients do not need a GP referral. They can access the service by calling 1300 316 554 or completing a self-referral online.

More information about the service can be found by:

07 March 2024

International Women’s Day (IWD) is held each year on 8 March to:
• celebrate women’s achievements
• raise awareness about discrimination
• take action to drive gender parity

This year’s theme is #InspireInclusion.

When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment.

The aim of the IWD 2024 #InspireInclusion campaign is to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women.

We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion.

SWSPHN staff celebrate International Women's Day

SWSPHN staff celebrate International Women’s Day

 

To mark International Women’s Day we’ve asked SWSPHN’s Executive Team and other staff answer: Why is International Women’s Day important to you?

Here’s what they said:

Alyssa Horgan, Integration and Priority Populations Coordinator
To me International Women’s Day is an important opportunity for women to band together and to recognise our collective strengths. It is an important reminder for us to reflect on how far women’s rights have come, and to refocus on the work that is still to be done. It provides a platform for us to shine a light on the issues that are important to women, and to bring issues such as the gender pay gap into the forefront of the public sphere.

Ben Neville, Integration and Priority Populations Manager
In my career, I have worked in services providing domestic violence counselling for victims and run programs for perpetrators. I have seen firsthand the impacts the continued gender imbalance causes and how it maintains a culture where male privilege and machoism is expected. To me International Women’s Day helps to keep in our collective conscience that despite the platitudes, women are still not considered, paid or treated as equals.

Pritika Desai, Mental Health and AOD Team Lead
International Women’s Day is important to me because it recognises the challenges women (including non-binary identifying people) face for equity and equality throughout their lives, but also celebrates every woman and non-binary person who works hard to break through stereotypes and barriers, paving the way for those that follow. To me, that is every one of us however little or big our contribution, it all matters.

Keith McDonald, Chief Executive Officer
Frankly, without women it’s all over… it’s a day to acknowledge that every day since civilised cultures have existed, each of us has relied on the feminine life force to sustain us. Strength through an intricate weave of passion, resilience, insight, care and nurturing – all too often this is taken for granted. Viva le donne!”

05 March 2024

Healthcare providers are being called on to stay up-to-date on infectious syphilis, amid a significant rise in syphilis diagnoses in Australia.

In the past decade, rates of syphilis diagnoses in Australia have tripled, according to a recent report by the Kirby Institute.

The rate of syphilis has increased six-fold among women, while congenital syphilis cases rose 68 per cent.

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, said we’re seeing the re-emergence of congenital syphilis, when the infection is transmitted during pregnancy.

“This can have devastating health consequences for newborn babies, including death,” he said.

“Congenital syphilis is also entirely preventable. We must ensure everyone is tested for syphilis during pregnancy. All pregnant people should be tested at least once, and in many cases more.”

Read more

Healthcare providers are urged to:

30 November 2023

Bankstown Diabetes Centre will run an eight-week group for women under 40 who have struggled with weight, from 16 February next year.

The Metabolic Transformation Through Action (META) Group is for women who may have a history of yoyo dieting, and may have conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance or an endocrine disorder.

The group aims to provide the skills for sustainable lifestyle change.

It will be run by a clinical psychologist and dietitian with expertise in metabolic health.

Participants will benefit from interacting with peers with similar experiences.

Find out more:

META Group referral form

Brochure for healthcare providers

Brochure for patients