The Diabetes Alliance has called on the Federal Government to commit to, and fund, the recommendations of the Parliament Inquiry into Diabetes.

In a submission to the Federal Budget process, the Alliance highlighted key priorities from the recommendations including access to diabetes technologies, investment in research, support for the diabetes workforce and investment in prevention. 

With over two million Australians living with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, the condition is the cause of a growing crisis costing the health system $3.4 billion annually.

The Parliamentary Inquiry report, The State of Diabetes Mellitus in Australia, includes 23 recommendations including support for expanding access to diabetes technologies, coordinating diabetes research, better funding the diabetes workforce and investing in diabetes prevention. The recommendations are a comprehensive package of measures that would begin to stem the tide of Australia’s diabetes epidemic

Diabetes Australia’s position statement on equitable access to technology formed part of the budget submission. It advocates for a staged approach to expanding subsidies for insulin pumps for people living with type 1 diabetes and continuous glucose monitoring devices for people living with type 2 diabetes.

More funding for diabetes research is also a key focus for the Federal Budget. A decline in funding for diabetes research in Australia has had a significant impact on the field.

In 2023, NHMRC (the Australian Government’s primary health and medical research funding agency), provided only $19 million for diabetes research, which is less than half of the amount allocated in 2022.

A budget submission from the Australian Diabetes Society, Diabetes Australia and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association calls for $50 million in funding for priority areas of research including the causes of diabetes, prevention and remission, complications, and the rates of diabetes in the general population; as well as $75 million for diabetes-specific investigator grants.

The sector acknowledges and celebrates the Federal Government’s announcement last year to fund the Clinical Research Network of JDRF Australia. This is a significant investment in type 1 diabetes research. The Alliance is advocating for investment in other areas of diabetes research as well.

The Australian Diabetes Alliance

The Australian Diabetes Alliance comprises the country’s major diabetes organisations in collective advocacy for the sector: Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australian Diabetes Society, JDRF Australia, the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

An Urgent Product Correction Notification has been issued for Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) receivers.

Manufacturer AMSL Diabetes says some customers of the G6 receiver may experience an issue where alerts/alarms do not function as they should. In very rare instances, the alert/alarm may be missed or delayed.  

Users rely on these alerts to show glucose levels that are too high or too low. If these alerts do not operate as expected, users may not receive timely notifications.

The manufacturer lists identification information relating to the affected devices as (STK-GS-120 – All batches) ARTG 169241.

Users are urged to take immediate action to ensure their device is functioning correctly and to avoid potential health risks.

The manufacturer has outlined a series of steps for users to verify that their alerts are functioning properly. These include checking the device settings, ensuring notifications are enabled, and confirming that software updates have been installed. Additionally, users can perform regular manual glucose monitoring as a backup measure.

Individuals who experience issues with their device should seek immediate help from Dexcom’s customer support team on 1300 851 056 or email diabetes@amsl.com.au with the product serial number listed on the back.

Do you manage multiple prescriptions? If so, you may find it useful to set up an Active Script List (ASL). An ASL is a digital list of your electronic prescriptions. The advantage of having an ASL is that you don’t have to keep track of individual tokens. Currently, 85% of pharmacies across Australia now have access to the ASL and can dispense your medicines, providing you have given them permission. 

Getting started 

To set up your ASL, you will need to visit your pharmacy. Take your mobile phone and 100 points of identification, such as a passport, birth certificate, driving licence, Centrelink card or Medicare card. The pharmacy will set up the service for you. You will be asked to consent to the service after reviewing and agreeing to the terms and conditions.

How it works 

Once registered, all your electronic prescriptions will automatically be added to your ASL. The next time a prescription is issued to you by a health provider it will show up on your ASL and you will be able to pick up the medication from your nominated pharmacy. If you don’t want all your medications to be added, just let your doctor and pharmacist know. 

Having an ASL means you don’t need to keep track of tokens issued through electronic prescribing because the pharmacy can access your prescriptions through your ASL (with your permission).

If you change your mind and decide you no longer want an ASL, you must email the Active Script List Registry info@medicationknowledge.com.au to request the removal. 

Find out more

The use of digital tools for managing your health is both convenient and empowering. If you are comfortable with using technology such as your mobile phone and the internet you will likely find these tools easy and efficient to use. For more information on My Health Record click here, and find out more about electronic prescriptions here. For help getting started, or for further information, visit www.digitalhealth.gov.au/. 

Preparing for travel when you are wearing a device calls for some advanced planning.

Before flying 

• Obtain a letter from your health practitioner that documents that you must wear your Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) and insulin pump. 
• Pack enough supplies for your holiday and a few extras. For example, if a CGM sensor malfunctions, be sure to have the contact number of your manufacturer to get a replacement, as the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) subsidy for CGM and Flash GM has a maximum supply limit.  
• Carry all your diabetes supplies in your carry-on luggage. This is not only to prevent loss from misplaced bags but also because luggage stored in cargo can be subjected to extreme temperature changes, which may inactivate your insulin. 
• Carry your NDSS card with you. This will help with your diabetes identification.  
• If you are away from the country for a while, consider a loan pump. Please talk to your pump company about this. 
• Pack both rapid and long-acting insulin pens in case your insulin pump gets damaged. 
• Ask your diabetes team about pump disconnection doses. If you experience a line or pump failure, you must know your pump’s Total Daily Dose (TDD).   
• Visit your CDE before your trip for sick day management and travel suggestions. 

Boarding a flight

• Notify security screeners that you are wearing an insulin pump and cannot remove your CGM. If required, show your medical letter. In addition, your spare CGM sensors cannot go through the airport carry-on luggage x-ray machine.  
• The pump is designed to withstand common electromagnetic interference. As a result, it can be safely carried through metal detectors, but it cannot be exposed to any form of x-rays. This includes airline luggage x-ray machines and full body scanners.  
• Metal detectors and hand wands are safe. Ask airport security staff to physically check you and your luggage before using the x-ray equipment. Security staff must respond to such a request under government agency regulations. If travelling internationally, your insulin pump may be swabbed for explosives. 
• If you go through the full-body scanner, you must disconnect and remove both your insulin pump, sensor, and transmitter. To avoid removing your devices, you should request an alternative screening process that does not use x-ray. 

In the air

• Keep your insulin supplies and hypo snacks close to you, not in the overhead compartment during the flight. This ensures you have snacks on hand in case of hypoglycaemia or delayed meals or snacks.  
• Check your glucose levels more frequently while travelling, mainly when time changes occur. 
• You can keep your receiver on before take-off, in flight and after landing. 
• The airlines request you put your smart device in Airplane Mode. You can do this, but keep your Bluetooth on and you will be able to receive sensor glucose information on your smart device.  
• Cabin air pressure can change during take-off and landing. Talk to your diabetes team about suspending or disconnecting the pump during take-off and landing.  
• Wait until you arrive at your destination before changing the time (and the date if appropriate) in your pump. First, make sure the am/pm is correct.

Bon voyage and have a wonderful trip.  

For general flying tips

Travel checklist

Travel fact sheet (ndss.com.au)  

Pump Company Websites 

AMSL

Medtronic

Ypsomed

Smart Traveller Recommendations 

smartraveller.gov.au/ 

traveldoctor.com.au/ 

travelSECURE

By Karen Jameson Registered Nurse and Credentialled Diabetes Educator 
_{This article was originally published in June 2023}

Diabetes Australia took a simple yet powerful message to the halls of Parliament House in Canberra this week: Australians living with all types of diabetes should have equitable access to the technology they need to live well.  

Highlighting our advocacy for increased subsidies for insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, a delegation from Diabetes Australia, including people living with diabetes, met with Senators and Members of Parliament to discuss the life-changing nature of these technologies.  

Proud mum of two Katie Godden, endocrinologist Dr Ben Nash, and former AFL star Paddy McCartin (pictured above) all live with type 1 diabetes and shared their stories with the nation’s policy makers about the importance of diabetes technologies. Far left is Diabetes Australia’s Taryn Black. 

Diabetes Australia’s policy paper outlines the steps needed to create more affordable access to CGM devices and insulin pumps, including economic modelling that shows a $200 million package of investment would support nearly 40,000 people living with diabetes to access these technologies, prioritising those with the greatest need. 

Acknowledging that subsidies to improve access will likely need to be delivered in a staged approach over time, the paper recommends key priority groups in the first instance, with further expansion in the future. 

The paper also outlines recommendations for changes to the way diabetes technologies are assessed and approved in Australia and investment in the diabetes workforce to support people living with diabetes get the most out of technology. 

A busy day at Parliament House on November 20 saw the Diabetes Australia team meet with many Members of Parliament and Senators including Dr Mike Freelander MP and Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston. Great connections were formed as advocates discussed how important technology is for people living with diabetes.  

Omnipod users in Australia are being advised to put their DASH Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) on airplane mode, following reports of battery depletion.

Insulet is aware of, and closely monitoring, customer feedback regarding instances where the Omnipod DASH® PDM battery is draining quickly.

On 9 November 2024 Insulet sent out advice to Omipod users to take the following action to address the issue. This action does not affect the function of the Omnipod DASH® PDM: 

Activate Airplane Mode on your PDM in accordance with the User Guide.

How to turn Airplane Mode on:

1. Press and hold the Power button until a screen appears with Airplane Mode option
2. Tap Airplane Mode to toggle it to ON, as shown in the screen below

As always, ensure you have a backup insulin delivery plan in place in case of emergency. If you have any questions, please call the customer support team on 1800 954 074.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How do I know if I have an affected PDM?
  • A: If you notice that your PDM’s battery is draining more quickly than normal, then you might have an affected device.
• Q: What should I do if my PDM’s battery depletes completely?
  • A: Your first step should be to charge the PDM and have backup insulin delivery available if needed.
• Q: If I have an impacted PDM, will I receive a replacement?
  • A: Please contact customer care to discuss your situation and possible options. We will provide more information as soon as it’s available. 
• Q: When will Insulet fix this issue?
  • A: We are investigating the issue to help us identify and resolve the issue, and will provide more information as soon as it’s available.
• Q: Are the batteries in my Pods impacted?
  • A: No. Pods will continue to deliver basal insulin even when the PDM is powered off or if the PDM battery is depleted.

Eril, at 76, is an early adopter of digital health tools. She has accessed My Health Record via my health app on her phone since it first came out.   

The app has become an integral part of her healthcare routine. Whether it’s preparing for an upcoming appointment, or specialist visits, Eril finds my health app extremely useful for quickly referencing her medical history. Recently, when preparing for a specialist appointment, she was asked to provide details about her previous CT scan. Thanks to the app, she could swiftly flick through her records and provide the requested information instantly. 

Another of Eril’s frequently used digital health tools is electronic prescriptions. Being an avid traveller, with family in Melbourne and trips to other states, she says the convenience of having her prescriptions on her phone is invaluable.   

Watch Eril’s story:

A closer look at the digital health tools used by Eril  

My Health Record  

Most Australians have a My Health Record. It houses a range of useful documents and health information including your medical conditions, pathology test results, proof of vaccination documents, prescriptions, scans and hospital discharge information. It is a private record and can only be seen by you, your healthcare providers and anyone else you choose to share it with. 

If you don’t already have a My Health Record, you can register for one at any time by following a three-step process outlined on digitalhealth.gov.au.  When this is complete, you can access My Health Record through a computer or a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, with an internet connection. You can also view your record using the my health app. 

My health app  

Downloading the my health app onto your mobile phone is a convenient way to access your My Health Record when you are out and about. It allows you to see your key health information, pathology results, medicine information and vaccination history from your phone. You can download my health by searching for “my health gov” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

Electronic prescriptions  

An electronic prescription is a digital version of a paper prescription. They are a safe and convenient alternative to paper prescriptions. If you choose to receive an electronic prescription, your doctor will send a text message or an email to your mobile phone containing a link, otherwise referred to as a token, with your prescription. When you are ready to collect your medicines, the QR code is scanned from your phone at the pharmacy. It is a safe, secure, and convenient alternative to paper prescriptions.  

For more information about these digital health tools, please visit digitalhealth.gov.au, contact the My Health Record helpline on 1800 723 471 or email help@digitalhealth.gov.au.  

Richard has been living with type 1 diabetes since 1987. For almost two years Richard has been using My Health Record and says it has been a game-changer in managing his condition.

He is pleased that the tool allows him to collate all his medical information in one place, from prescriptions to diagnostic results, making diabetes self-management significantly easier. He also finds it useful to see historical results and compare past health information to present. Richard accesses My Health Record on his phone and compares it to having a digital filing cabinet in his pocket. 

Watch Richard’s story:

 

A closer look at the digital health tools used by Richard  

My Health Record  

Most Australians have a My Health Record. It houses a range of useful documents and health information including your medical conditions, pathology test results, proof of vaccination documents, prescriptions, scans and hospital discharge information. It is a private record and can only be seen by you, your healthcare providers and anyone else you choose to share it with. 

If you don’t already have a My Health Record, you can register for one at any time by following a three-step process outlined on digitalhealth.gov.au.  When this is complete, you can access My Health Record through a computer or a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, with an internet connection. You can also view your record using the my health app. 

My health app  

Downloading the my health app onto your mobile phone is a convenient way to access My Health Record when you are out and about. It allows you to see your key health information, pathology results, medicine information and vaccination history from your phone. You can download my health by searching for “my health gov” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

For more information about My Health Record and my health app, please visit digitalhealth.gov.au, contact the My Health Record helpline on 1800 723 471 or email help@digitalhealth.gov.au.  

My Health Record provides a safe and secure place to keep your key health information. You, your healthcare providers and any representatives you may have can access it online, anytime.  

Pathology and diagnostic imaging reports are two types of documents that your healthcare providers can upload to My Health Record.  Pathology reports may include results from blood tests, urine tests and biopsies and can be added to your record.  Diagnostic imaging reports may include results from X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds and can be added to your record.   

Healthcare professionals involved in your care will be able to access these reports when needed. Some of the benefits include:   

• empowering you to participate in your healthcare   

• keeping track of the tests you have had and when you had them   

• monitoring your results over time   

• improving access to your health information by your healthcare team   

• reducing unnecessary tests and scans   

• helping your healthcare team save time and focus on your care.   

Importantly for people living with diabetes, HbA1c results are available to view as soon as they are uploaded by your pathology provider to your record. This will allow you to access and keep track of your results over time.  Currently, over half of all pathology reports in Australia are uploaded to My Health Record. The numbers are expected to grow as more providers begin to upload reports to My Health Record.   

If you login into My Health Record and can’t see your pathology or diagnostic imaging results, you can ask for your provider to upload your report if they are able to.  If you don’t already have a My Health Record, you can register for one at any time by following a three-step process outlined on digitalhealth.gov.au.  When this is complete, you can access My Health Record on a computer or a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, with an internet connection. 

As Australia prepares for the nationwide shutdown of the 3G network by major telecommunications providers from October 28, Diabetes Australia is reminding people with diabetes and their carers to check whether their medical devices, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), rely on 3G connectivity.

The shutdown may disrupt the ability of some devices to send or receive data. However, it’s believed that most Australians’ glucose data transmitters are now connected by Bluetooth.

CGMs can use mobile networks to transmit blood glucose data or alerts to smartphones, healthcare providers, or caregivers. If these devices are only compatible with 3G technology, the loss of service could lead to delays in receiving critical health information or warnings of high or low blood glucose levels.

For a small number of people whose devices are not connected to Bluetooth and who will be affected by the shutdown, this could present a risk.

Those who are unsure about their equipment’s connectivity are encouraged to check the compatibility of their device and contact their healthcare providers or device manufacturer for guidance on upgrading if necessary.

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) advises that devices which may be impacted by the decommissioning of the 3G network include:  

• Glucose data transmitters  
• Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) 
• CPAP therapy machines  
• Cardiac resynchronisation therapy monitoring devices 
• Telehealth devices  
• Wearable health monitors  

Others not regulated by the TGA but also potentially impacted by the shutdown include: 

• Personal safety pendants 
• Fall detection systems  
• Home security alarms  
• GPS tracking devices  
• Automated medication dispensers  

The transition to newer 4G and 5G networks will improve connectivity and offer faster data transfer. However, people with older devices that are not compatible with these networks may need to upgrade to avoid disruptions.

To avoid potential issues, Diabetes Australia recommends that people review their device specifications, reach out to their device manufacturers, and ensure they have access to alternative methods for managing their diabetes, such as manual glucose checks or backup devices.

For more information and guidance on the 3G shutdown and its impact on diabetes management, visit the TGA website or contact your healthcare provider.