Diabetes care and COVID-19

A new leaflet published by the NDSS, developed by the ACBRD, provides practical strategies for staying connected to your health care team during COVID-19

By Dr Edith Holloway

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted all of us in many different ways. Because of COVID-19, the way in which health care is provided has changed over the last few months. It is understandable to feel worried about accessing diabetes health care services. It is important to stay connected with your diabetes health care team and there are many options available to ensure you are still getting support.  

If you or someone you know with diabetes is worried about attending their usual medical or pathology appointments, there is a new NDSS* leaflet that may help: Diabetes Care and COVID-19. This leaflet provides practical strategies for feeling and remaining safe while attending diabetes clinics or other health care facilities in person, as well as feeling comfortable with and getting the most from telehealth visits.

Attending diabetes clinics or other health care facilities

Some aspects of diabetes care can’t be covered by phone or video and you can still visit your clinic for many of your check-ups. For example, HbA1c and other blood checks, eyecare and footcare require a visit to a clinic or pathology centre. These are essential for your long-term health. If you need to visit a clinic or pathology centre it may be useful to think about how you will travel to and from the clinic, asking questions of your health care team ahead of time, and focusing on things that are within your control (for example, practicing hand and respiratory hygiene).

Accessing health care from home

In response to COVID-19, the Australian Government has introducing telehealth services to enable people to have consultations with their health care team without leaving home. People with diabetes are able to have telephone or video consultations with their health care team, such as their GP, Credentialled Diabetes Educator, nurse practitioner and psychologist. This helps people with diabetes to continue to access essential health services and reduce their potential exposure to COVID-19.

If you would like to read more about practical strategies to accessing diabetes care, check out the new NDSS leaflet: Diabetes Care and COVID-19.

* The NDSS is an initiative of the Australian Government administered with the assistance of Diabetes Australia. This leaflet was developed in collaboration with the ACBRD.

We acknowledge funding from the NDSS, and the valuable input of our NDSS Expert Reference Group.

For more about COVID-19, read our other blogs here.

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