For National Diabetes Week this year (12-18 July) we’re encouraging you to grow your diabetes village. In this post, Diabetes WA Connect endocrinologist DR GREG ONG explains his role in your support team.
An endocrinologist is a medical specialist with advanced expertise in diabetes and hormone-related conditions. We have dedicated specialist training in diabetes and continually review the latest research, technologies and treatment advances to ensure our recommendations remain up to date.
There are approximately 80 endocrinologists working across Western Australia and around 250,000 people living with diabetes, so not everyone living with diabetes will see an endocrinologist.
Your GP is your primary carer and plays a central role in assessing and monitoring your health. They can prescribe your medications, complete your diabetes annual cycle of care to help in managing your diabetes and reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications.
Your GP can also arrange your chronic condition management plan, or CCMP, which allows you to access subsidised services from allied health professionals.
Endocrinologists play a key role when diabetes management becomes more complex — including the use of advanced therapies such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring, challenging glucose management, pregnancy planning or situations where there is an increased risk of emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Beyond prescribing treatment, we understand the day-to-day practical and emotional challenges of living with diabetes.
Here at Diabetes WA, we meet with GPs and nurse practitioners through Diabetes WA Connect to answer questions around diabetes management, either over the phone or as part of a multi-disciplinary case conference alongside a diabetes educator or Aboriginal health practitioner.
Our approach is collaborative and personalised: we work closely with a healthcare team including GPs, diabetes educators, dietitians and others to develop realistic, sustainable plans that support both long-term health and quality of life.
Our goal is to help anyone living with diabetes achieve their goals and maintain confidence, independence and freedom from complications.
Specialist diabetes support can work alongside your GP. Find out more about Diabetes WA Connect.
For National Diabetes Week this year (12-18 July) we’re encouraging you to grow your diabetes village.
