With diabetes cases on the rise and growing demand for hospital beds, Diabetes WA Connect is here to support GPs across the state with timely advice from our team of endocrinologists, diabetes educators and Aboriginal health practitioners.
Launched in October 2024, Diabetes WA Connect recently received a further four years’ funding from the WA state government, and one year’s funding from WAPHA, in recognition of its growing reputation and strong satisfaction from GPs during its initial targeted rollout.
This free service was developed in collaboration with GPs and provides direct access to support from an endocrinologist and diabetes educator. Initially available for rural and remote GPs, the service can now also be used by GPs in the Perth area.
This service is intended to give general practitioners advice and support. It is not a telehealth or patient consultation service, so no referral is needed. It is possible (at the GP’s discretion) for a patient to be present, but it is not required.
When describing the service, Diabetes WA Connect endocrinologist Dr Greg Ong says that it’s about getting ‘more ideas, more minds and more solutions’ earlier in a patient’s diabetes journey, in consultation with the GP who knows them best.
When it comes to diabetes management, this not only saves the patient a potentially long wait time or a long journey for a specialist opinion but also keeps their care within their existing health team. For metro GPs and patients, as delays can still occur, Diabetes WA Connect can reduce stress and anxiety while awaiting appointments by helping plan interim measures.
“Making complex decisions around diabetes management within a fifteen-minute appointment can be challenging, but what we’ve heard from GPs is that getting more eyes on the situation reduces uncertainty and makes that process easier,” says Dr Ong.
“GPs have reported greater confidence in decision-making as a key consequence of using our service, meaning they valued the service even if their final management plan did not change.”
The service also gives the endocrinologist and diabetes educator an opportunity to hear directly from the patient’s primary doctor, providing invaluable context that will help support diabetes management and prevent complications.
“Often, by the time someone gets to hospital, they are very unwell,” says Dr Ong. “The one person that can make those timely decisions that keep the patient from getting to that point is their GP, and we are here to support them.”
Holistic and comprehensive diabetes care in the community
“Many GP practices now have a strong focus on chronic disease management, and with diabetes there is a lot to know about the latest technology, new medications, the complexity of type 1 diabetes and access to local services,” says Dr Ong. “Perhaps you’re a GP who is new to our health system and you want to learn more about referral pathways and the unique challenges of diabetes management in Western Australia. Or it may be about building confidence and capacity within your workforce around diabetes and providing an educational tool for junior registrars. Our goal is that every time you talk to us, you will know more about diabetes management for the next time.”
GPs report finding that in talking through a complex diabetes case, they feel more confident treating other people with diabetes.
“In using Diabetes WA Connect we’ve received advice that is applicable in other cases. Your clinical process improves, you can take that same knowledge and translate it to other patients,” says Kate Fulford, associate director at Pramana Medical Centre in Gosnells.
Dr Ong, who has clinical appointments at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Bunbury Hospital Outpatients, also finds that even with a referral, some patients will not attend a hospital appointment, for many reasons.
“Even without waitlists, there are many obstacles to hospital appointment attendance. The hospital might be too far away. They might have trust in their GP but not feel safe in a hospital. They may not realise the importance of the appointment. They might not have transport or be able to pay for parking. With these patients, the GP needs to act, because once the patient is out of their consulting room that opportunity is lost.”
Diabetes educator Tara Savage, who works alongside Dr Ong, emphasises that diabetes management is going to look different for every patient. The team will adjust their approach accordingly, whether it’s a multi-disciplinary case conference with a GP providing in-house care to aged care residents, answering calls about the growing number of younger people and pregnant women with diabetes, or having a meet and greet with a practice to discuss the service and how it might help.
“Every situation is unique and consulting with a Diabetes WA Connect endocrinologist allows the GP to possibly explore a difference approach but ultimately builds confidence that decisions are informed and balanced,” she says.
“The one constant is that early intervention can make a big difference to patients.”
Are you a GP, nurse practitioner or practice manager and would like to book a call with Diabetes WA Connect or find out more?
Diabetes WA Connect can provide advice through a phone call, or an MBS-rebatable multi-disciplinary case conference (MDCC).
For MDCCs, a Diabetes WA diabetes educator will always attend, while an Aboriginal Health Practitioner can be requested.
The team can also visit your practice for a meet and greet so you can learn more about the service.
Get in touch with Diabetes WA Connect.
Call 9436 6270
Visit the Diabetes WA Connect booking page
Email diabetesconnect@diabeteswa.com.au for enquiries.
