A groundbreaking new partnership between Diabetes Australia and nib foundation will improve the lives of people living with both diabetes and disability.

The three-year initiative is one of the projects made possible by nib foundation’s recent Better Health Partner grant. Funds will enhance support for disability caregivers, equipping them with the specialised knowledge and practical skills needed to provide safe and effective diabetes care.

With this support from nib foundation, Diabetes Australia will kickstart the Safely Injecting Insulin program. The pilot program will train disability support workers so they have the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to safely inject insulin.  

Diabetes Australia Group CEO, Justine Cain, said the partnership represents a significant shift towards a more integrated and fairer model of care.

“We know that people living with both diabetes and disability face unique health challenges, and unfortunately, they often have limited access to appropriately trained carers,” Ms Cain said.

“This partnership with nib foundation will change lives by ensuring that people receive the right care at the right time, improving their overall health and quality of life.

“This initiative will also ease pressure on health professionals and the broader health system by ensuring that disability support workers have the confidence and skills to support a person living with diabetes.”

The goal is to ensure it becomes standard for every person living with diabetes and disability to have access to appropriately qualified carers. This will enable more timely and personalised care, reduce preventable complications, and create better overall health outcomes.

nib foundation CEO, Amy Tribe, emphasised the foundation’s commitment to reducing the burden of chronic disease and improving equitable access to care.

“Our vision at nib foundation is for all people to live longer in better health, and that means supporting innovative initiatives that enable prevention and health equity. This partnership with Diabetes Australia aligns with our mission to reduce disparities in healthcare and improve support for those who need it most,” Ms Tribe said.

“Working with the national peak body for people living with diabetes, we’re confident this partnership between Diabetes Australia and nib foundation will create real impact.

“By investing in partnerships that focus on early intervention and better health outcomes, we can help transform the healthcare experience for vulnerable populations, including people living with both diabetes and a disability.”

Over the long term, nib foundation and Diabetes Australia hope to use the pilot program’s data to build a compelling case for making the training an industry standard. 

About nib foundation

nib foundation was created in 2008 as an independent charitable trust following a $25 million donation from nib. These funds were raised through the issue of new shares at the time of listing nib on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in November 2007. Today, nib continues to support our mission of helping people and communities live healthier lives by providing unclaimed dividends from their shareholder base.

For more information: nib foundation

About Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia is the national organisation supporting all people living with or at risk of diabetes. We put people first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, consumers, health professionals, researchers and the community.

For more information: Diabetes Australia