Page 2470 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 31 July 2019
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and education to ACT public servants. This may include the delivery of staff information sessions, with possible commencement in early 2020.
Finally, for those people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important that care and support are provided across multiple providers. In this, I must acknowledge the important work that GPs play. Not only does most screening occur through GPs; an ongoing relationship with a GP is important to ensure that a person with diabetes continues to be supported in managing their condition.
Nationally, diabetes is the sixth most frequently diagnosed problem in general practice. In addition, given the chronic nature of diabetes, it is important that there is a strong and ongoing relationship between the GP and the individual with diabetes. Of course, GPs must be supported with specialist advice and care to assist in the management of more complex situations or patients.
To support GPs, Canberra Health Services has available the ACT Health diabetes service. This service is a multidisciplinary team comprising medical, nursing and allied health professionals. The service provides a coordinated and integrated service between the Canberra Hospital and various community-based locations within the ACT. Diabetes education, care and treatment are provided across the continuum, from children, adolescents and adults, women during pregnancy and adults with all types of diabetes.
Specific services include a paediatric service for children with predominantly type 1 diabetes, a young adult diabetes service for those aged 16 to 21 years to assist mostly those with type 1 diabetes, but a slowly increasing number of type 2 diabetes, in their transition from the paediatric service to full responsibility for their care within the adult service.
The multidisciplinary diabetes in pregnancy service provides care to women with gestational diabetes, as well as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, during pregnancy. The service also provides pre-pregnancy planning services to women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who are planning pregnancy.
A high-risk foot service for clients with diabetes and major foot conditions is also provided. In addition to regular podiatry clinics, a multidisciplinary high-risk foot collaborative group meets weekly to provide expert care to those with the most complex foot problems. The ACT Health diabetes service assists Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services in diabetes programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
I would like to acknowledge the work of those across our entire health system, from those who work in general practice to the highly specialised diabetes nurses and educators who work diligently to support people with diabetes and other chronic conditions. On behalf of the ACT government and the people of the ACT, thank you for the work and the support you provide.
I note that Ms Lawder emphasises that the point of her motion, in addition to drawing attention to the importance of addressing diabetes across our community, is to ensure
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