Parliamentary report calls for increased access to CDEs as part of comprehensive diabetes care reforms

Canberra, 4 July 2024—ADEA has welcomed a landmark national report that calls for increased access to Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) as a key component of comprehensive reforms to address Australia’s diabetes epidemic.

Tabled today, the Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes report states that expanding access to CDEs for people living with all forms of diabetes “was a common issue raised throughout the evidence received” in relation to challenges impacting the workforce.

The report’s 23 recommendations include improving equitable access to healthcare for people living with all forms of diabetes.

This recommendation includes ensuring access to CDEs and diabetes educators in high-risk outer metropolitan, rural, and remote communities; increasing the number of MBS item numbers for allied health consultations for CDEs, dietitians, and other allied health providers; improving access to longer appointments with healthcare providers subsidised by the MBS; implementing case conferencing models of healthcare, especially in rural and remote areas; and expanding access to telehealth services.

Other recommendations include expanding subsidised access to CGMs for people living with type 1 diabetes, insulin-dependent type 3c diabetes, gestational diabetes, and type 2 diabetes requiring regular insulin.

The report also recommends subsidising insulin pumps for all Australians with type 1 diabetes and reviewing the price and choice of insulin pumps available in Australia.

ADEA CEO Susan Davidson endorsed the report.

“The recognition of the vital role that CDEs have in managing diabetes is a significant step forward,” Ms Davidson said.

“Improving healthcare access through longer appointments, telehealth services, and increased consultations with allied health professionals is essential for delivering comprehensive diabetes care.

“Expanding access to CGMs and insulin pumps, if adopted, would also significantly enhance health outcomes.”

She added that ADEA had been a powerful advocate for these and other crucial changes, striving to ensure better support and outcomes for people living with diabetes across Australia.

The report highlights several submissions by ADEA:

The report’s other recommendations include conducting an economic analysis of diabetes costs, updating dietary guidelines, and reforming food labelling to target added sugars.

It also suggests introducing a levy on sugar-sweetened beverages, enforcing strict regulations on food marketing to children, and ensuring access to healthy food options for all communities.

Additionally, it advocates for urban planning to encourage physical activity, implementing national screening programs for early diabetes detection, and launching public health campaigns to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and management.

Background of the Inquiry

The Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes was initiated in response to Australia’s escalating diabetes epidemic, affecting 1.5 million people and placing significant health and economic burdens on the nation.

After a year-long inquiry with nearly 500 written submissions, the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport tabled the report about the state of diabetes in Australia.

The Committee held 15 days of public hearings with valuable input from individuals, organisations, and government bodies.

The inquiry aimed to address barriers to comprehensive diabetes care, especially for high-risk groups, and to develop strategic recommendations for improving health outcomes through equitable access to healthcare professionals, diabetes technologies, and supportive services.

Read the full report here.

Parliamentary report calls for increased access to CDEs as part of comprehensive diabetes care reforms

Canberra, 4 July 2024—ADEA has welcomed a landmark national report that calls for increased access to Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) as a key component of comprehensive reforms to address Australia’s diabetes epidemic.

Tabled today, the Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes report states that expanding access to CDEs for people living with all forms of diabetes “was a common issue raised throughout the evidence received” in relation to challenges impacting the workforce.

The report’s 23 recommendations include improving equitable access to healthcare for people living with all forms of diabetes.

This recommendation includes ensuring access to CDEs and diabetes educators in high-risk outer metropolitan, rural, and remote communities; increasing the number of MBS item numbers for allied health consultations for CDEs, dietitians, and other allied health providers; improving access to longer appointments with healthcare providers subsidised by the MBS; implementing case conferencing models of healthcare, especially in rural and remote areas; and expanding access to telehealth services.

Other recommendations include expanding subsidised access to CGMs for people living with type 1 diabetes, insulin-dependent type 3c diabetes, gestational diabetes, and type 2 diabetes requiring regular insulin.

The report also recommends subsidising insulin pumps for all Australians with type 1 diabetes and reviewing the price and choice of insulin pumps available in Australia.

ADEA CEO Susan Davidson endorsed the report.

“The recognition of the vital role that CDEs have in managing diabetes is a significant step forward,” Ms Davidson said.

“Improving healthcare access through longer appointments, telehealth services, and increased consultations with allied health professionals is essential for delivering comprehensive diabetes care.

“Expanding access to CGMs and insulin pumps, if adopted, would also significantly enhance health outcomes.”

She added that ADEA had been a powerful advocate for these and other crucial changes, striving to ensure better support and outcomes for people living with diabetes across Australia.

The report highlights several submissions by ADEA:

  • The low uptake of Chronic Disease Management Plans (CDMPs) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is attributed to socio-economic barriers and a lack of access to CDEs, other health practitioners, and culturally appropriate healthcare.
  • The current MBS item numbers for diabetes education do not reflect the time and expertise required by CDEs. New MBS item numbers for longer consultations are needed to support comprehensive care.
  • The need for formal support to help people learn how to effectively use diabetes technology.
  • People diagnosed with pre-diabetes should be immediately referred to a CDE.
  • MBS-reimbursed visits should be provided for women with gestational diabetes to see a CDE during both pregnancy and after giving birth.

The report’s other recommendations include conducting an economic analysis of diabetes costs, updating dietary guidelines, and reforming food labelling to target added sugars.

It also suggests introducing a levy on sugar-sweetened beverages, enforcing strict regulations on food marketing to children, and ensuring access to healthy food options for all communities.

Additionally, it advocates for urban planning to encourage physical activity, implementing national screening programs for early diabetes detection, and launching public health campaigns to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and management.

Background of the Inquiry

The Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes was initiated in response to Australia’s escalating diabetes epidemic, affecting 1.5 million people and placing significant health and economic burdens on the nation.

After a year-long inquiry with nearly 500 written submissions, the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport tabled the report about the state of diabetes in Australia.

The Committee held 15 days of public hearings with valuable input from individuals, organisations, and government bodies.

The inquiry aimed to address barriers to comprehensive diabetes care, especially for high-risk groups, and to develop strategic recommendations for improving health outcomes through equitable access to healthcare professionals, diabetes technologies, and supportive services.

Read the full report here.