Information for Providers

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) – the silent epidemic

Diabetes prevalence in the Western and Far West NSW Region is 6.1 percent of the population.  This is higher than the national average of 5.5 percent and is increasing annually. T2DM is also being diagnosed at younger ages, often presenting as a more aggressive disease leading to complications at a younger age. People in the Western NSW PHN Region are 40 percent more likely to die as a result of their diabetes than the rest of NSW. Our Indigenous population are at particular risk as 20 percent of people living with T2DM identify as Aboriginal.

 

We can improve outcomes by working together

Working in the rural and remote primary health environment is both rewarding and challenging. We also recognise that there are gaps in access to and consistency of services that impact on patient care and outcomes.

This is why NSW is initiating a Collaborative Commissioning funding model for chronic disease to better support a more agile and responsive health sector across our regional footprint. Care Partnership – Diabetes is a collaboration between Western and Far West Local Health Districts, NSW Rural Doctors Network and Western NSW Primary Health Network to work together to build on existing services and strengthen local pathways to enhance access to multidisciplinary diabetes care teams.

 

About Care Partnership – Diabetes

Care Partnership – Diabetes focuses on enhancing health outcomes for people living with T2DM living in Western and Far West NSW. We know that when detected earlier and when comprehensive and evidence-based care is provided, there is opportunity for remission and a reduction in the development
of secondary complications.

Over the next three years, Care Partnership – Diabetes will work with you in a place-based rollout to support better:

  1. Engagement of people and communities in understanding T2DM and making positive health changes.
  2. Identification of T2DM earlier through increased opportunities for screening and point-of-care testing.
  3. Shared quality care to improve communication and coordination between health care providers and patients, following an agreed T2DM pathway of care with improved access to specialist care.
  4. Workforce uplift and engagement to enhance health practitioner experiences of delivering care to people living with T2DM by increasing access to training, support and resources for the workforce.
 

What does this mean for you?

Your patients living with T2DM and a HbA1c >7% will be able to:

  • Have more timely access to diabetes-related services.
  • More opportunities for patient-facing education via variety of platforms.

As a GP, you and your practice/ACCHS will have free access to:

  • Locally relevant point of care T2DM guidelines, accessible via Western NSW Health Pathways.
  • Funding support for Practice Nurse/Aboriginal Health Practitioner hours focusing on T2DM.
  • A Western Diabetes Hub to assist with linking clinical services, education and mentoring opportunities.
  • Case conferencing with endocrinologists and other health providers.
  • INCA, a shared health record that permits patients’ healthcare providers shared visibility of health conditions, medications, test results and management plans. Click here to learn more about INCA.
  • Patient Reported Measures using the Health Outcomes and Patient Experience (HOPE) system.
  • Education provided via ECHO (Enhanced Clinical Health Outcomes) learning sessions and Rural Health Pro. Want to join an upcoming session? Click here to learn more and register.
  • NSW Health data about your patients, via an electronic platform called LUMOS.

Refer to the following downloadable resources for more information.

Care Partnership - Diabetes Framework Booklet

Care Partnership - Diabetes Factsheet

 

What's next?

Let us know if you would be interested in or would like more information about becoming one of the practices participating in Care Partnership – Diabetes.

Simply fill out and submit your details below and we'll be in contact shortly.

 

Diabetes: Living Better & Stronger and Care Partnership - Diabetes is part of the Collaborative Commissioning Program, a collaboration between the Western NSW Local Health District, the Far West Local Health District, the Western NSW Primary Health Network, and NSW Rural Doctors Network.