NSW Health is working closely with partners to develop these programs and to ensure that patients with diabetes are receiving the best care, in the most appropriate setting.
The information below provides guidance, advice and helpful resources for patients with diabetes and their families.
After your diagnosis you should speak to your general practitioner (GP) who can work with you to prepare a diabetes care plan. This plan encourages you to be actively involved in your care. While it specifically relates to the management of your diabetes, your general health and wellbeing will also be considered. The care plan will identify the health professionals that can support you to manage your diabetes. These may include:
Some of these healthcare professionals will be Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDE), who are certified by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association. A CDE can provide:
You can receive rebates on services provided by a CDE through:
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You should register with the NDSS as soon as you are diagnosed with diabetes. This will give you access to subsidised diabetes products and support services to assist you to self-manage your life with diabetes. Registration for the NDSS is free and should be done with your health professional. A doctor, nurse practitioner or credentialled diabetes educator can help you complete the form.
The NDSS is an Australian Government initiative and is administered with the assistance of Diabetes Australia.
Diabetes NSW & ACT are a trusted source of information and have a number of factsheets that have been designed to help you better manage your diabetes, stay healthy and live well.
They cover a wide range of topics designed to help you maintain your good physical and mental health and lower the risk of developing complications.
You can access other helpful resources on the Diabetes NSW & ACT website.
The NSW Get Healthy Service offers free telephone health coaching to help you stay motivated, feel empowered and reach your lifestyle goals.
You work with your own Health Coach who is a qualified dietitian or exercise physiologist at times that suit you. They're there to help you set goals, overcome setbacks and make long term health changes. You can receive up to 6 months of support to eat healthy, be physically active, reduce alcohol and achieve a healthy weight.
Register on the Get Healthy Service website or call 1300 806 258 Monday - Friday, 8am - 8pm to get started.
The Active and Healthy website is funded by NSW Health to assist people over 50 and health professionals to find evidence-based physical activity programs and activities across NSW. Active and Healthy provides an up-to-date directory for location specific exercise programs, with printable searches and resources to support an active lifestyle.
The website also includes programs delivered by exercise physiologists for the management and treatment of diabetes, through a series of group exercise sessions and educational information. Further program details and eligibility for health rebates is available on the individual program listing.
Accredited exercise physiologists are university-qualified allied health professionals who have the skills and knowledge to prescribe exercise as medicine for those living with chronic conditions like diabetes. Find out more about how an exercise physiologist can help you or find an Exercise physiologist near you on the Exercise & Sports Science Australia website
Before commencing a regular exercise program see your doctor for a full medical examination.