Regional South Australia Receives Diabetes Care Framework

In regional South Australia, populations have been identified has being at risk of potentially reaching “unacceptably high rates” of diabetes, with 30,000 in the Country South SA Medicare Local (CSSAML) area cited as currently living with type 2 diabetes, either diagnosed or undiagnosed.

Applying national figures to the percentage of the population in the country south region estimated to have diabetes, it is likely that over the last decade, approximately:

• 200 people have had lower limb amputations.

• 1000 people have gone blind.

• 2500 people have developed kidney failure

• 8000 people have had heart attacks.

• 4000 people have had strokes.

The CSSAML report coincides with its closure and transition of services to the new SA Rural Health Network this month, of which diabetes will be a key focus.

“Once diagnosed with diabetes, people can access support from a wide range of providers and services from the health and community services sector. Yet our research found gaps in the care of people with diabetes including few people receiving comprehensive evidence-based care, limited access to and use of diabetes education and limited use of care planning to drive high quality care,” says CSSAML Chair, Ms Kathy Mott.

“Fewer services and health professionals tends to be a feature of rural and regional locations, resulting in poorer outcomes for these residents. Rural residents should not need to experience poorer outcomes. A coordinated regional approach to planning and delivering services is essential.”

The CSSAML has developed a model of care with key reponse areas which will be carried over into the new SA Rural Health Network over the next three years, in a continued effort to serve the residents of country areas in their diabetes care needs