New 10-year plan to support Australians in Wide Bay with diabetes

A new 10-year plan will bring better care and support for people living with all forms of diabetes, Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announced today.

The Australian National Diabetes Strategy 2021–2030 will drive real improvements in the prevention, early detection, management, and care of people with diabetes, bringing together the latest research and evidence to ensure our health response continues to adapt to the changing health environment.

“About one in 20 people in Australia are affected by diabetes, and the Morrison Government is committed to ensuring all diabetic Australians can continue to access the treatments and support they need, when they need it,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This new strategy has been updated to include information relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic and living in a COVID safe manner, as well as providing guidance and support to assist with self-management of diabetes.”

The Strategy also features specific details and actions for priority population groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and expectant mothers.

In just 12 months, the number of Australians with diabetes registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme increased by more than 120,000 people, climbing to around 1.4 million in June 2021.

The Morrison Government provides funding to support people with diabetes through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) which includes programs such as KeepSight, Diabetes in Schools, FootForward and MyDesmond; the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) initiative, and research funding.

In 2020–21, the NDSS delivered more than 5.9 million diabetes products worth more than $186 million, and more than $709 million in medicines were dispensed under the PBS. Our Government has also invested more than $300 million in the CGM initiative over four years.

Significant investments have been made in diabetes research, including $626 million through the National Health and Medical Research Council since 2010, and $78 million through the Medical Research Future Fund since 2015.

The Australian National Diabetes Strategy 2021–2030 is available online – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/australian-national-diabetes-strategy-2021-2030