Diabetes Australia today welcomes the commitment of both the Coalition and the Australian Labor Party to provide subsidised access to continuous glucose monitoring and flash glucose monitoring technology for all people living with type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the election commitment was something Diabetes Australia had been advocating for over many years.

“Continuous and Flash glucose monitors are life-saving and life-changing for people living with type 1 diabetes,” Ms Cain said.

“Living with type 1 diabetes is a 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year job and this technology helps make that job a lot easier.

“It reduces the daily burden of frequent finger prick checks and means people have to spend less of their time just managing diabetes. This can translate to improved mental and emotional health and a better quality-of-life.

“It also significantly improves health outcomes and lowers a person’s risk of both short-term complications like hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) and long-term complications including blindness, heart and kidney disease and limb amputation.

“This is smart policy that will save the health system millions in the long run.

“We made a commitment to people with type 1 diabetes that we wouldn’t stop working until every person who could benefit from this technology was able to access it.

“We’ve been working towards CGM for all for more than ten years and today’s announcement brings us closer to that goal.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the tireless and powerful advocacy from the diabetes community including the Australian Diabetes Society, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group, JDRF Australia, and of course, the people with diabetes and their families who have worked to advocate for this vital technology.

Ms Cain said that while today’s announcement was a very welcome there was still more to be done.

“It’s also important health professionals are able to offer the education and support that people need to get the best out of the technology. That’s why we are currently advocating for $526K per annum to support health professionals to deliver this training,” she said.

“We are still advocating for funding to support diabetes healthcare professionals in providing the healthcare and education to people who use the technology to help them get the best out of it.”

Continuous and Flash glucose monitors are small wearable devices that monitor glucose levels automatically, providing readings every few minutes. People with diabetes can see their glucose levels using apps on their smart phones. 

These devices reduce the need for finger prick checks and give more information to people with diabetes and their healthcare team about glucose trends and how much time they are spending within their target glucose range.

Under the existing Continuous Glucose Monitoring Initiative people with eligible concession cards, children and young people aged 21 years and over and women who are actively planning a pregnancy or pregnant are able to access fully subsidised glucose monitoring technology. Under the Coalition’s election commitment, which the ALP has agreed to match, people who are not currently eligible would be required to pay $32.50 per month to access the technology.

You can read Diabetes Australia’s full election platform here.