The theme for World Diabetes Day on 14 November is “Education to Protect Tomorrow”.
It’s a philosophy that Bass Coast Health (BCH) follows, by teaching patients to manage their own condition through our Diabetes Education Service.
BCH’s service offers outpatient consultations for people with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and Gestational Diabetes, Monday to Friday, at the Wonthaggi Hospital and at the Phillip Island Health Hub at Cowes.
Our Credentialled Diabetes Educators can assist with:
• Understanding the condition and how to manage it
• Lifestyle changes
• Understanding diabetes medications
• Use of most recent technologies to monitor and manage diabetes
• Referrals to and communication with the other members of the multi-disciplinary team (e.g. dietitian, podiatrist)
• Understanding and addressing the emotional and mental health impact of diabetes.
Credentialled Diabetes Educator Claire Gatto said empowering patients with knowledge and understanding about their condition results in improved health outcomes.
“Through knowledge about how diet, exercise and medications impact their diabetes, people with diabetes can make more informed choices that result in health benefits,” she said.
“People with diabetes look after themselves for more than 95 per cent of the time. Therefore, access to ongoing education is essential for them to understand their condition and carry out the daily self-care that will help them stay healthy and avoid complications.”
GP referrals to BCH’s Diabetes Education Service can be sent to access@basscoasthealth.org.au
World Diabetes Day marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who, with Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1922.