We’ve been supporting West Australians with diabetes for more than 60 years. Last year, we took 22,000 calls from our 1300 number, while our educators supported 2,500 West Australians. But what happens when you call us for help?
The Diabetes WA Helpline supports all calls, from general enquires through to detailed questions about medications or blood glucose readings or diabetes technology issues. When you call our  1300 001 880 number, you are put through to our friendly customer service officers in Belmont. They will be glad to help answer any general questions you might have or refer you on to one of
our credentialled diabetes educators.

What does a diabetes educator do?
Based in Perth, our diabetes educators are health professionals who have undertaken specialised training that means they are best placed to support you with specific questions about living with diabetes. Our educators also respond to queries received via email, social media questions referred on by our marketing team, web enquiries and walk ins to Subiaco office.

What sort of questions can an educator answer?
West Australians can contact the helpline with absolutely any questions or concerns relating to living with diabetes. The diabetes educator will listen carefully and discuss the issues . They can also point towards further support and information available. Whether it’s people living with diabetes or their family members, friends, carers, support workers and health professionals, the helpline is there to support everyone.

We also take a large number of calls from women diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM) on topics including:

• What does it mean, how is my baby affected?
• Worries about risk of hypoglycaemia and keeping levels in target
• Receiving conflicting advice from health professionals, wanting clarification
• Newly diagnosed with GDM – not yet linked in with services, what do I do?
• Regional GPs and obstetricians wanting information about Diabetes Telehealth Service
• Questioning GDM diagnosis or the results of the glucose test
• Worries about not meeting blood glucose targets, what this will mean
• Not fully grasping concepts, require further information on diet, exercise, stress and what happens in the body with GDM
•  Advice on how to manage GDM and avoid insulin.

Find out about a day in the life of the Diabetes WA Helpline here.