Media Releases - 9 September 2022
Diabetes Victoria welcomes bipartisan support for life-changing diabetes technology
Diabetes Victoria welcomes the commitment of both the Coalition and the Australian Labor Party to provide subsidised access to Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Flash Glucose Monitoring technology for all people living with type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes Victoria’s acting CEO, Carolyn Hines said, “This election commitment is a very important announcement, as the use of Continuous and Flash Glucose Monitors really are lifesaving and lifechanging technologies for people living with type 1 diabetes.
“People living with type 1 diabetes are monitoring their condition 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. This technology makes the job a lot easier and less time consuming by reducing the daily burden of frequent finger prick checks,” she said.
The technology can also translate to improved mental and emotional health and a better quality-of-life for people living with this complex condition.
Ms Hines said, “By significantly improving health outcomes and lowering people’s risk of both shortterm complications like hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) and long-term complications including blindness, heart and kidney disease and limb amputation, this technology will save our health system millions over the long run.
“While this announcement is good news for people living with type 1 diabetes, there is still much more to be done and this is only one aspect of our federal election asks.
“It’s critical for health professionals to be able to offer the education and support people need to get the best out of the technology. That’s why we are currently calling for more funding, and $526K per annum to support health professionals to deliver this training,” she said.
Continuous and Flash Glucose Monitors are small wearable devices that monitor glucose levels automatically, providing readings every few minutes and allowing users to see their glucose levels via an app on their smart phone.
Under the existing Continuous Glucose Monitoring Initiative, children and young people aged under 21, people aged 21 years and over who have eligible concession status and women who are actively planning a pregnancy, pregnant or immediately post-pregnancy can access fully subsidised glucose monitoring technology. Under the Coalition’s election commitment, which the ALP has agreed to match, people who are not currently eligible would be required to pay $32.50 per month to access the technology.
Diabetes Australia’s full election platform can be found here.
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Contact for all media inquiries: Ms Annette Glenister on 0400 772 722.
Diabetes Victoria
570 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
comms@diabetesvic.org.au
