People with diabetes can live as fulfilling lives as possible with the help and guidance of the Diabetes Educators of Bass Coast Health.
‘Diabetes and wellbeing’ is the theme for World Diabetes Day on 14 November, with a focus on ‘Diabetes and the workplace’.
BCH offers a comprehensive diabetes care service to the community, provided by Credentialled Diabetes Educators Vivienne Prestidge, Roger Lindenmayer, Upmajit Kaur and Claire Gatto.
Vivienne said the Diabetes Educators can support people living with diabetes to self-manage their condition and live well, through education and use of available technology.
“If ignored or not managed well, diabetes can lead to health complications, but our team is here to help you minimise these,” she
said.
“We offer consumers the latest in diabetes advice and advise on technology usage, so they can live with the minimum of restrictions and continue with their work and other ambitions in life.”
Insulin is a hormone made by the body to keep one’s blood glucose levels within the normal range. With type 1 diabetes, the body does not make insulin and therefore insulin has to be injected every day to stay alive. With type 2 diabetes, the insulin does not work as well as it should and, over time, the insulin production decreases. Insulin injections are sometimes needed to manage blood glucose levels.
BCH’s service is available at both Wonthaggi Hospital and Phillip Island Community Hospital, and offers support for a range of diabetes-related conditions. These include:
• management of type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes
• lifestyle changes
• blood glucose monitoring and interpretation of blood glucose levels in relation to food, physical activity and medication
• management of out-of-range glucose levels
• commencement of insulin or other injectable diabetes medications or changes to diabetes medications
• use of new glucose monitoring and insulin delivery devices
• prevention and management of diabetes complications advice for managing days when unwell
• travel advice.
BCH's Diabetes Educators renew their credentialling annually with the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, which assures consumers they’re receiving quality-assured diabetes care, education and self-management support.
The service accepts referrals from general practitioners and other health care professionals. Self-referrals are also accepted. The service involves a small fee and will be discussed with you when the referral coordinator calls you to obtain your details to admit you to the service.
For more information about BCH’s diabetes service, go to: basscoasthealth.org.au/diabetes