Diabetes is a health concern in South Western Sydney
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the whole body. Diabetes occurs when the body can’t maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar; it is the main source of energy for our bodies. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to health complications.
There are three main types of diabetes, they are:
- Type 1 diabetes ( HealthResourceDirectory.org.au | HealthPathways )
- Type 2 diabetes ( HealthResourceDirectory.org.au | HealthPathways )
- Gestational diabetes ( HealthResourceDirectory.org.au | HealthPathways )
Type 2 diabetes is a big health concern in South Western Sydney. Lifestyle modification interventions can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes may be able to access up to eight (8) allied health sessions with a GP referral. Ask your regular GP how.
At SWSPHN, we are committed to supporting and improving health outcomes for people at risk of or living with diabetes in South Western Sydney. We are achieving this by supporting health professionals and the community in a number of ways.
Supporting Health Professionals
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) supports primary care through a range programs and can recommend the following programs and support services to health professionals to ensure patients at risk of diabetes are receiving the best possible care. This includes:
Quality Improvement in Primary Care
The QIPC program supports patient care from prevention through to disease management.
Access to clinical guidance and resources
The HealthPathways program provides evidence-based and localised clinical guidance to support the prevention, assessment and management of type 1 and 2 diabetes as well as gestational diabetes. The site also provides information on local health services, including referral processes.
Visit the HealthPathways website
Clinical Support
The Integrated Diabetes Program provides specialist clinical support to GPs via funding hospital specialists to provide in-practice case conferencing to manage complex patients and maintain care in the community setting. For more information, see:
- Case conferencing flyer (PDF |410KB)
- Case conferencing referral form (Word | 688KB)
- To refer for a case conferencing session, please contact DOMTRU by phone 02 4634 3192, fax 02 4634 3215 or email SWSLHD-campbelltownIDC@health.nsw.gov.au
Education
SWSPHN provides regular education events regarding diabetes. This includes partnering with DOMTRU for their day conferences.
The Western Diabetes Education Program (WDEP) has replaced AUSCDEP and is available to all clinicians within SWSPHN’s footprint for FREE. WDEP is an online, clinically-focused education program designed for all healthcare workers and students to promote competencies in diabetes clinical care and support of people living with diabetes.
Supporting Our Community
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) supports our community through a range of initiatives and promotion of services to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes. These include:
Diabetes Contraception and Pre-Pregnancy Planning (DCAPP)
An initiative that has been designed to offer an integrated approach to managing the high rate of congenital malformations that exist in this area.
DiRECT-AUS Study
SWSPHN provides funding and support for the Australian arm of the Diabetes NSW DiRECT (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial) Study. This program found in the UK that almost half of participants in the overweight or obese range who followed an intensive low-calorie diet of around 850 calories a day, for between 8 and 20 weeks, were able to put their type 2 diabetes into remission. This is a partnership between Sydney North Health Network, Western Sydney PHN, North Coast PHN, Western NSW PHN, Diabetes NSW & ACT and University of Sydney.
Find more information here: https://diabetesnsw.com.au/directaus/
Access to information on your health condition
Health Resource Directory provides information on the main types of diabetes, as well as where to access supports and strategies to manage your health conditions.
Get in touch
To learn more about diabetes care in South Western Sydney or to find out how you can get involved with any of the listed programs, please email Ben Neville on ben.neville@swsphn.com.au