C2 ndss information for people with diabetes

Informationforpeoplewithdiabetes
1300 136 588 ndss.com.au
The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) is an initiative of the Australian Government administered with assistance from Diabetes Australia.

Diabetes Australia aims to provide accurate and helpful information in this book.
However, this information and resource is of a general nature only and is not intended
to be used as a substitute for professional health advice.
You should always see the advice of your doctor or Credentialled Diabetes Educator
with any questions you have about your health or a medical condition.
ABOUT THE NDSS 1
SERVICES 7
PRODUCTS 11
MANAGING DIABETES 17
DIABETES ORGANISATIONS 51
ONLINE RESOURCES 57

3
AbouttheNDSS
AbouttheNDSSServicesProductsManaging
Diabetes
Diabetes
Organisations
Online
Resources

4
CONTENTSWelcome to the NDSS 1
What is the NDSS? 2
Where can I access NDSS 3
services and products?

1
Welcome to the
This book aims to give
you information about
the NDSS, including the
services and products
available to you.
This may be your first
experience with diabetes,
or you may already know
someone with diabetes.
Either way, we hope the
general information about
diabetes in this book will
give you a starting point.
You will have received
your NDSS registration
card – you should keep
it in a safe place, as you
will need it every time you
order your products at
your NDSS pharmacy or
access services from your
state or territory diabetes
organisation. If your
card is lost or damaged,
please call our Helpline on
1300 136 588
to order a new one.
Once you’re registered with
the NDSS, you can access
a range of information,
education and support
services.
National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)

2
Registration is
free and open
to all Australians
diagnosed with
diabetes.
What is the NDSS?
The NDSS supports
people with diabetes by
giving them access to
reliable and affordable
services and products.
Diabetes Australia has
managed the NDSS since
its beginnings in 1987, with
funding from the Australian
Government. Registration
is free and open to all
Australians diagnosed with
diabetes.
The NDSS provides a range
of support services to help
you manage your diabetes.
These include a Helpline
on 1300 136 588 for advice
on diabetes management,
use of NDSS products, and
a range of programs to
help you learn more about
managing your diabetes.
To register with the NDSS,
you must live in Australia
and hold (or be eligible to
hold) a Medicare card or
a Department of Veterans’
Affairs card. Visitors to
Australia may be eligible
if their home country has
an agreement with the
Australian Government.
You can find more
information about this on
the Medicare website at
wwww.humanservices.
gov.au.

3
Where can I access NDSS services
and products?
You can access NDSS
services through NDSS
Agents, which are the
diabetes organisations in
each state and territory.
They are located in all
capital cities and in some
regional areas. You can
find your closest agent
by phoning our Helpline
on 1300 136 588 or by
visiting our website at
www.ndss.com.au. The
names and contact details
of the agents in all states
and territories are also
provided at the end of
this book.
You can obtain NDSS
products through NDSS
Access Points in all states
and territories. Access
points are managed by
the NDSS Agents and
they are mainly located
in community pharmacies.
You can find your
closest access point by
phoning our Helpline
on 1300 136 588 or by
searching our Online
Services Directory at
osd.ndss.com.au.

5
Services
Diabetes
Diabetes
Organisations
Online
Resources

6
CONTENTSHow do I access NDSS 7
support services?
What services are 8
available?

7
How do I access NDSS
support services?
Services
You can find NDSS support
services in your state or
territory through:
your NDSS Agent
our Helpline on
1300 136 588 or
your agent’s website
(refer to the end of this
book for NDSS Agent
contact details).

8
What services are available?
fact sheets, brochures
and other resources
about diabetes
a variety of health
professionals.
These support services
are generally provided free
of charge or at a minimal
cost to people who are
registered with the NDSS.
If you need help with
English or if you’re hearing
impaired we can assist you.
Our services include
access to:
information about
services, diabetes
self-management
advice, and NDSS
products
programs and activities
for people with diabetes,
such as healthy eating
programs and physical
activity programs
group support
programs, such as peer
support for people with
type 1 diabetes or young
people with diabetes
Call your local
NDSS Agent
on 1300 136 588 to
discuss services in
your area.

9
Products
Diabetes
Diabetes
Organisations
Online
Resources

10
CONTENTSHow do I obtain products 11
from the NDSS?
What products are available? 12
Does a concession card entitle 13
me to further discounts?
How many NDSS products 13
can I buy?
Travelling 14

11
How do I obtain products
from the NDSS?
You can buy NDSS products
from an NDSS Access
Point located at your local
Community Pharmacy.
You can search the NDSS
Online Services Directory at
osd.ndss.com.au for a list of
access points in your area.
You can access the product
order form from our website
at www.ndss.com.au or by
phoning our Helpline on
1300 136 588.
Products
Whenever you order
NDSS products you will
be asked to give your
NDSS registration number
(which is on your NDSS
card) and your Medicare
card number. If you hold
a concession card, such
as a health care card or a
pensioner concession card,
you’re eligible for additional
subsidies.

12
What products are available?
The NDSS gives you
access to a large range
of subsidised products
that help you to affordably
self-manage your diabetes.
These products include:
subsidised urine
testing strips
free insulin syringes
and pen needles (if you
need insulin or approved
non-insulin injectable
medications)
subsidised insulin pump
consumables for people
with type 1 diabetes and
gestational diabetes
subsidised blood
glucose testing strips
for people with diabetes
who use insulin or have
gestational diabetes or a
rare form of diabetes.
Note: People with type 2
diabetes who are not using
insulin should speak to their
health professional about
access to blood glucose
testing strips.*
Syringes and pen needles
are available free of charge
to anyone registered with
the NDSS who uses insulin
and approved non-insulin
injectable medication.
Blood glucose testing
strips, urine testing strips,
syringes, pen needles
and IPCs can be obtained
through an NDSS Access
Point.
Medications (including
insulin) are not available
through the NDSS.
* People with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin are able to purchase
an initial six month supply of subsidised blood glucose testing strips and
further access is available if recommended by a health professional.

13
Does a concession card entitle
me to further discounts?
How many NDSS products
can I buy?
Yes, you can get a further
discount on some NDSS
products if you hold a
concession card.
Blood glucose testing
strips and urine testing
strips are cheaper if you
hold a concession card,
such as a health care
card or a pensioner
concession card.
Please ask the staff
member serving you or
check the information on
the NDSS product order
form at www.ndss.com.au.
There are limits to the
number of products you
can buy on the NDSS. If
you reach the limit, we will
contact you to give you
information to help you
manage your diabetes.
For more information
on these limits, please
contact our Helpline
on 1300 136 588.

14
Travelling
Access to the NDSS is
only available while you’re
located within Australia. You
are not permitted to access
the NDSS while overseas.
Before travelling, please
review your product
requirements. You can buy
up to six months worth of
products to take with you
but you’ll need to have
a letter from your doctor.
You should also inform
airlines and airports about
your requirements and the
products you have with
you. For more information,
contact our Helpline on
1300 136 588.

15
ManagingDiabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes
Organisations
Online
Resources

16
Understanding diabetes 17
Nutrition & health 20
Medicines 25
Pregnancy 28
Monitoring blood glucose 29
Possible complications 32
Hypoglycaemia and 36
hyperglycaemia
Disclosing your diabetes 40
Your health care team 44
Privacy 46
CONTENTS

17
UnderstandingDiabetes
What is diabetes?
The levels of blood glucose
are controlled by insulin,
a hormone produced by
the pancreas. As glucose
enters the blood stream,
the pancreas releases
more insulin. The role of
insulin is to help glucose
go from the blood stream
into the cells, such as your
muscles, where it is needed
for energy. Diabetes occurs
when the pancreas can’t
make insulin, or when there
is not enough insulin, or
insulin can’t work effectively.
When someone has
diabetes, the body can’t
maintain healthy levels
of glucose in the blood.
Glucose, which is a form of
sugar, is the main source
of energy for our bodies. It
comes from foods we eat
such as breads, cereals,
fruit, starchy vegetables,
legumes, milk, yoghurt
and sweets. Glucose can
also be made by your
liver for times when you’re
not eating, like overnight.
Glucose is carried around
the body in the blood
stream.

18
Are there different types of diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, the
pancreas makes some insulin
but it’s not working as well
as it used to.
In the beginning, type 2
diabetes can often be
managed with healthy eating
and regular physical activity.
However, as time goes
by, most people will need
medications (including tablets)
and many will also need
insulin or another type of
injected medicine to help
keep the blood glucose
levels within the target range
recommended to you by
your doctor.
There are three types of
diabetes: type 1, type 2
and gestational.
Type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the
pancreas stops making
insulin. The body’s immune
system destroys the insulin-
making cells (beta cells) in
the pancreas.
Type 1 diabetes is treated
by injecting insulin using
a needle, pump or other
device. The onset of type
1 diabetes usually occurs
in people under the age
of 30, but it can happen
at any age. About 15%
of all diagnosed cases of
diabetes are type 1.
In the beginning,
type 2 diabetes
can often be
managed with
healthy eating and
regular physical
activity.

19
The onset of type 2
diabetes usually occurs in
people who are over 40,
but it can occur earlier,
including in children and
adolescents. Often there
can be a family history
of diabetes, or a person
may have had diabetes
in pregnancy (gestational
diabetes). About 83% of
all cases of diabetes are
type 2.
Gestational diabetes
There is also a type of
diabetes that can occur
during pregnancy –
gestational diabetes –
which can have serious
effects on an unborn
baby if it’s not managed
correctly.
Gestational diabetes is
often treated by a specialist
team of experienced
health professionals, and
it usually goes away after
the pregnancy. However,
women who have had
gestational diabetes are
50% more likely to develop
type 2 diabetes, so they
need to continue the
healthy eating and regular
physical activity program
recommended for their
pregnancy. It’s vital that
these women attend their
six-week check-up after the
birth of their baby to ensure
diabetes is not still present.

20
Nutrition&health
There are a number of
people who can help you
learn about and manage
your diabetes. Discuss
your diabetes with your
doctor, diabetes educator,
dietitian or local NDSS
Agent. You will find lots of
links to websites and some
contact numbers for more
information at the end of
this information book.
Diabetes care requires a
balance between healthy
eating, regular physical
activity and treatment
(tablets, insulin, etc).
Healthy eating,
physical activity
and treatment are all
important in diabetes care.

21
Tips about healthy eating
Healthy eating is important
for everyone, including
people who don’t have
diabetes. You don’t need
to buy expensive foods or
prepare special meals.
Aim for a healthy weight
It’s important for all of us
to be a healthy weight but
it’s really vital for people
with diabetes. For people
with type 2 diabetes, being
overweight can make it
harder to manage blood
glucose levels (BGLs) and
it increases the risk of heart
disease, particularly if this
extra weight is around the
waist.
Have regular meals
For some people with
diabetes, skipping meals
can make BGLs difficult to
manage. It’s recommended
that you eat regularly during
the day, whether this is in
the form of three standard
meals or 5–6 smaller meals.
Eat a variety of foods at
each meal
At each meal, choose a
variety of foods from each
of these groups:
a small amount (palm-
size) of fish, skinless
chicken, lean meat
or egg, or if you’re a
vegetarian, soy, legumes
or nuts
lots of salads and non-
starchy vegetables (to fill
half your plate)
a small amount (fist-size)
of carbohydrate such
as wholegrain bread
and cereals, starchy
vegetables (such as
corn or potato), pasta,
rice (eg basmati), beans
and lentils, fruit or low fat
milk and yoghurt.

22
Limit high-fat foods
Foods that are high in fat
can make you gain weight.
Avoid these foods as much
as you can, including fat
on meat, skin on chicken,
butter, cheese, cream,
copha, coconut milk, fried
take-away foods, pies,
pasties, sausage rolls, and
processed meats such as
sausages, ham and bacon.
These fatty foods can also
raise your blood cholesterol
level and increase the risk of
heart disease.
Cut down your salt intake
Too much salt can increase
your blood pressure, and
high blood pressure can
increase the long-term
damage of diabetes. Don’t
add salt to your cooking or
meals and limit the amount
of processed foods you eat,
including tinned foods, ready
prepared meals, take-away
meals and processed meats
such as sausages, salami
and similar meats, ham and
bacon.
Go easy on alcohol
Alcohol may increase your
weight or increase the
risk of low blood glucose
(hypoglycaemia). Choose
wine, light beer and diet
mixers. Limit your alcohol
intake to two or fewer
standard drinks a day for
both men and women. For
those who need to control
weight or lose weight, it’s
a good idea to cut down
your intake.
Don’t consume too much
sugar
A small amount of sugar is
alright but you should avoid
foods that are high in sugar,
such as sweet drinks,
cakes, biscuits and lollies.
A visit to a dietitian will help
you with a healthy eating
plan that will best suit you
and your needs.

23
Smoking contributes to
insulin not working properly
within your body and also
increases the risk of heart
disease, stroke, kidney
failure and feet problems.
Tips about smoking
If you would like help to
stop smoking, contact
Quitline on 13 78 48.
checklist:
Aim for a healthy weight
Have regular meals
Eat a variety of foods at each meal
Limit high-fat foods
Cut down your salt intake
Go easy on alcohol
Don’t consume too much sugar
Healthy eating

24
Tips about exercise
Regular exercise is good
for everyone. Exercise
can improve muscle
and heart function, and
reduce tension and
stress. Exercise and
healthy eating can help
lower blood fats, blood
pressure and BGLs, and
reduce the risk of health
problems.
If you haven’t been active
for some time but plan
to do more exercise, you
should first talk to your
doctor. Your doctor will
check whether it’s safe
for you to start exercising
and will help you with your
exercise plan.
Here are some tips for
being safe when you
exercise:
warm up and stretch
before and after exercise
make sure you wear
comfortable, well-fitting
shoes
drink plenty of fluids
start out with a little
exercise, doing
something you like
build up your exercise
gradually.
A visit to an exercise
physiologist may help you
with an exercise plan that’s
right for you. Exercise
physiologists are allied
health professionals who
specialise in the delivery of
exercise for the prevention
and management of
chronic diseases and
injuries.

25
Medicines
Do I need medicines for my diabetes?
If you have type 1 diabetes,
you will need to have insulin
injections every day. You
and your doctor will decide
on the type of insulin and
how often you need it
each day.
If you have type 2 diabetes,
you may not need any
medication to begin with.
However, most people will
eventually need tablets and,
with time, many will also
need insulin. You and your
doctor will decide when
and what type of treatment
you need.

26
What do I need to know about
diabetes medicines?
If you’re thinking of taking
some medicines that
you can buy over the
counter (such as herbal
medicines) it’s critical that
you discuss this with your
doctor. Also, don’t forget
to discuss products and
proper storage of tablets,
insulin or other type of
injected medicine with
your pharmacist, doctor or
diabetes educator.
Take the correct dose
of your medication at
the times agreed with
your doctor, and eat
regular meals. When
you go to diabetes
appointments, take a
list of your medications,
including any medicines
bought over the counter
and complementary or
herbal medicines. Talk
to your pharmacist or
doctor if you’re not sure of
anything or if you have any
questions.
What about side effects?
Ask your pharmacist,
doctor or diabetes educator
about possible side effects.
Tell your doctor if you
experience any side effects
from your medicines.
Other tablets (even those
you buy over the counter)
may interact with your
diabetes medication.
Always talk to your
pharmacist or doctor about
taking other medicines.

27
Do complementary or alternative
medicines help?
Some complementary or
alternative medicines can
be added to your usual
diabetes treatment plan,
but they should never
replace your diabetes
treatment. You shouldn’t
change your healthy
eating plan or stop taking
your tablets or insulin.
Some complementary
or alternative medicines
can increase the effect of
other medications you’re
taking, so it’s a good idea
to discuss these therapies
with your pharmacist,
doctor or diabetes
educator.
Other tablets (even
those you buy over the
counter) may interact
with your diabetes
medication.

28
Pregnancy
It is recommended that
you have a review of your
diabetes and general health
at least three to six months
before you start trying for a
baby.
More information about
pregnancy and diabetes
can be found on the
NDSS website www.
pregnancyanddiabetes.
com.au.
To order a copy of the
NDSS booklet Having a
healthy baby, phone the
NDSS Helpline on
1300 136 588.
Separate booklets are
available for women with
type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
If you are a woman with
type 1 or type 2 diabetes
planning a pregnancy
now or in the future, it is
important to get the right
information and advice
before you fall pregnant.
Women with diabetes can
have a healthy baby, but
there are extra risks during
pregnancy. With careful
planning and support
from a team of health
professionals, these risks
can be reduced.
Make an appointment
with your diabetes health
professionals as soon as
you start thinking about
having a baby. If you are
not sure who to contact
or if you live in a rural area
where services are limited,
talk to your GP.

29
Monitoringblood glucose
Why monitor blood glucose?
An aim of diabetes
treatment is to keep
blood glucose levels
(BGLs) within a specified
target range. You need
to balance your food with
your activity, lifestyle and
diabetes medicines. Blood
glucose testing can help
you understand the link
between blood glucose,
food, exercise and tablets,
insulin or other injected
medicines.
Not all people with
diabetes need to test their
blood glucose, but it’s
recommended if you’re
taking certain medications,
or injecting insulin or other
medicines. Please discuss
this with your diabetes
health care team – page
44-45 of this book suggests
people you may wish to
have in your team.

30
How do I monitor blood glucose?
There are meters available
that are designed to
measure your BGLs.
A range of meters and
the associated testing
strips are available from
NDSS Access Points. Your
diabetes educator or doctor
will advise which meter is
best for you.
To use a meter, you add a
small drop of blood from a
finger-prick onto a testing
strip and then place it in the
meter. The meter then reads
the strip, and a number
comes up on the screen.
This number is your BGL.
Keeping a record of your
BGLs can be very helpful
for you and your health care
team. You may also record
other information like food,
exercise and any high or
low readings. Take it along
to all your appointments.
There are useful mobile
phone apps and programs
on websites available to
help you keep a record.

31
What should I do with my
‘finger-prickers’?
Needles from your finger-
pricking device (lancets)
should go into a special
sharps container, not in
your general rubbish.
Syringes, insulin pen
needles and used blood
glucose testing strips must
also be disposed of safely.
Use an approved yellow
sharps container and make
sure you keep it out of
reach of children.
To find out where to get
a sharps container and
how to dispose of sharps,
phone our Helpline on
1300 136 588 or contact
your:
local council health
department
community health
centre needle exchange
program
local pharmacy,
community health centre
or public hospital.
Some local councils
provide sharps containers
free of charge. Discuss
this with your diabetes
educator or your doctor,
or contact our Helpline on
1300 136 588.

32
Possible
complications
What can go wrong?
Type 2 diabetes is often
called a silent condition
because you may not
actually feel unwell.
Damage to your body may
occur so slowly that you
may not even notice at first.
This is why it’s essential to
have regular check-ups with
your health care team.
On a day-to-day basis,
diabetes may make you
feel unwell if your BGL is
too low (hypoglycaemia) or
too high (hyperglycaemia).
It’s essential
to have regular
check-ups with your
health care team.

33
What do you mean by ‘damage’?
High blood glucose, with
any type of diabetes,
can damage parts of the
body. Damage can occur
to the blood vessels and
nerves. This can affect the
heart, brain, kidneys, eyes
and feet, and may also
cause digestive problems
or problems with sexual
function. Your doctor and
health care team can help
you manage your diabetes
to minimise long-term
damage to your health.
People with type 2 diabetes
are sometimes told they
have a ‘touch of sugar’ or
‘mild diabetes’. This can be
confusing and misleading,
because this is a serious
issue. Any BGLs above
healthy levels can cause
problems over time if not
cared for.
Diabetes can also make
you more likely to have
gum disease. See your
dentist every six months for
check-ups, even if you wear
dentures.
Diabetes can affect the
heart, brain, kidneys, eyes
and feet, and may also
cause digestive problems
or problems with sexual
function.

34
What can I do to delay or avoid
damage?
Check your HbA1c.
Your doctor can do
a blood test that
measures the average
blood glucose level
over the past two to
three months. This
test is called an A1c
or a Haemoglobin A1c
(HbA1c).
Have a kidney test.
Your kidneys may be
at risk. Your doctor can
check with a simple
urine and blood test
each year.
Have your eyes
checked every two
years. Diabetes can
cause damage to the
tiny blood vessels on the
back of the eye (called
the retina). Your eyes
should be checked by
a trained professional
at least every two years;
more often if there are
any changes detected.
Follow these
recommendations to delay
or avoid the damage
diabetes can cause:
Check your
cholesterol. High
cholesterol can cause
damage and block your
blood vessels. This
will increase the risk of
heart attack and stroke.
Cholesterol checks can
be done through your
doctor.
Check your blood
pressure. High blood
pressure can increase
long-term damage from
diabetes. Your doctor
will discuss this with you
and should check your
blood pressure at each
visit.
Aim to keep BGLs
within the target
range.

35
Visit your doctor at
least every three
months so potential
problems can be
found early.
See your dentist
every six months for
check-ups, even if you
wear dentures.
Protect and care for
your feet. The nerves
and blood vessels
to your feet can be
damaged by years of
diabetes. Your health
care team can check
your feet and discuss a
self-care plan.
Report any digestive
problems to your
doctor.
Tell your doctor if
you experience any
problems with sexual
function. Your doctor
can arrange tests if
needed, to find out why.
Make sure you visit your doctor
regularly.

36
Hypoglycaemia
and hyperglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia
What causes a hypo?
A hypo occurs when there
is too little glucose in the
blood. Reasons for this may
include:
too much insulin or
diabetes medication
a delayed or missed
meal
not enough starchy
foods (carbohydrates)
extra unplanned exercise
alcohol consumption.
hypos can be found
on our website at
www.ndss.com.au.
What is hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia (often
known as a ‘hypo’) means
a low BGL. It can occur
in people who inject
insulin or take certain
diabetes medications,
and it can happen quickly.
Early signs vary but may
include hunger, sweating,
weakness, trembling,
headache, dizziness, and
tingling of the mouth and
lips. If the hypo is not
treated, it can progress
to confusion, behaviour
changes, unsteadiness
and even loss of
consciousness.

37
What should I do about
hypos?
Talk to your health care
team to see if you’re at risk.
If you are, you need to find
out how to recognise and
treat a hypo.
If you feel some of the signs
described above, the first
thing to do is to be sure
you’re safe. For example,
if you’re driving a car or
truck, pull over to the side
of the road.
Then have some quick-
acting carbohydrate that’s
easy to consume, for
example:
½ can of regular soft
drink, OR
150–200ml of fruit juice,
OR
100–200ml of Lucozade,
OR
3–4 teaspoons of sugar
or honey, OR
6–10 jellybeans, OR
glucose tablets
equivalent to 15–20
grams of carbohydrate.
For more information on
hypos while driving, refer to
www.ndss.com.au.
Early signs of a hypo
vary but may include
hunger, sweating,
weakness, trembling,
headache, dizziness,
and tingling of the
mouth and lips.

38
Hyperglycaemia
What is hyperglycaemia?
Hyperglycaemia is when
BGLs are too high.
Hyperglycaemia can
occur in anyone who has
diabetes. You may feel
thirsty, tired or lacking in
energy, or you may pass
lots of urine, lose weight or
have blurry vision. Severe
cases could result in a
coma.
What causes
hyperglycaemia?
Hyperglycaemia often
happens slowly but it can
also happen suddenly,
depending on the cause.
It may be caused by
an illness or infection.
It may also just mean that
you need to have your
medication or insulin dose
checked, or that you need
to adjust your food intake
or activity levels.
A high BGL every now
and then is not a problem.
However, if you get symptoms
of hyperglycaemia or your
BGLs remain high for a few
days, it’s important to contact
your doctor.

39
What should I do about
hyperglycaemia?
If you get symptoms of
hyperglycaemia and you
have type 1 diabetes,
contact your doctor
or diabetes educator
for advice about how
to increase your dose
of insulin, or follow
your hyperglycaemia
management plan, if one
has been developed with
your health care team.
This may also be referred
to as your ‘sick day’
management plan.
Test your BGLs often (every
2–4 hours) and test your
blood or urine for ketones.
Drink extra water or low
calorie (diet) drinks to
replace fluid lost by passing
more urine. Contact your
doctor immediately or go to
hospital if:
you can’t keep food and
fluids down and have
persistent vomiting,
diarrhoea and / or
abdominal pain
your BGLs remain high
there are moderate to
large ketones present
in your urine or greater
than 1.0 mmol/L in a
blood sample
you’re hypoglycaemic
but still have ketones in
your blood
you’re becoming more
unwell.
A high BGL every
now and then is not a
problem. However, if
you get symptoms of
hyperglycaemia or your
BGLs remain high for a
few days, it’s important to
contact your doctor.
hyperglycaemia can be
found on our website at
www.ndss.com.au.

40
Do I have to tell my driver licensing
authority that I have diabetes?
Disclosing
your diabetes
There are rules in each
state and territory about
what health conditions you
must report, so you should
contact your local driver
licensing authority to check
the exact requirements.
When you apply for – or
renew – your driver’s
licence, you may need
to tell the driver licensing
authority that you have
diabetes. They may ask you
to see a doctor to confirm
whether you can have a
driver’s licence.
If you already have a
driver’s licence, you may
need to tell the driver
licensing authority that
you’ve been diagnosed
with diabetes.

41
Can I still get a driver’s licence
if I have diabetes?
Different states and
territories have different
requirements, so ask
your local driver licensing
authority about your
situation.
In March 2012, new
medical standards were
introduced for drivers
of both private and
commercial vehicles.
These standards help
health professionals
decide whether particular
people should be able
to drive. They are only
guidelines, and your
doctor will decide whether
you’re fit to drive. The
new standards can be
found in the Austroads
paper Assessing fitness
to drive 2012, but a brief
summary is provided in
this shaded box.
If your diabetes is treated
by diet and exercise alone,
you may generally drive
without any restrictions
on your licence.
If you’re a private vehicle
driver and you:
use glucose-lowering
medicines other than
insulin, you may
generally drive without
any restrictions on your
licence but you should
have a review by your
doctor every five years
use insulin to treat your
diabetes, you may
need a conditional
licence, which requires
that your diabetes
is ‘satisfactorily
controlled’. Generally,
this means you have
a HbA1c level of less
than 9% measured in
the three months before
your licence application.
A HbA1c level of 9% or
higher may mean that
you need a diabetes
specialist to certify your
fitness to drive.
You must have a review
by your doctor every
two years.

42
Does my insurer have to know
I have diabetes?
If you have life, personal
or accident insurance, you
need to tell your insurer that
you have diabetes.
If you have any problems
and wish to discuss these
with an independent
person, you can call the
financial Ombudsman on
1800 367 287.
If you’re a commercial vehicle driver, and you use
medicines to treat your diabetes, you must have
an annual review by a doctor who specialises in
endocrinology or diabetes. This is to ensure you meet
the specific criteria to hold a conditional licence.
These new standards have created confusion for
some people with diabetes. If you have concerns,
please contact our Helpline 1300 136 588.

43
Does my employer have to
know I have diabetes?
Generally, you’re only
required to tell your
employer that you have
diabetes if it would impact
on your ability to perform
your job. However, in case
of an emergency, it’s helpful
if your employer knows that
you have diabetes. Talk
to your employer about
breaks for having regular
meals, taking medication or
to check your BGLs during
work time.
Most states and
territories have rules
about work health and
safety representatives
disclosing information
about employees. If you
tell your representative that
you have diabetes, the law
may only permit them to
disclose that information if
required by law or if you’ve
given consent.
Do I have to wear medical alert
identification?
Let your family, friends
and someone at work
know that you have
diabetes and what to do
if you have a hypo.
It’s recommended that
all people with type 1
diabetes wear medical
alert identification (IDs)
as there may be a time
when a doctor needs to
know you have diabetes.
Some people with type 2
diabetes should also wear
a medical alert ID.
Talk to your doctor
about whether you
need a medical
alert ID.

44
Your health
care team
Many people can be part
of your health care team
to help you live well with
diabetes. Your team can
be made up of health
professionals as well as
your family and friends.
But you are the most
important member. You
make the day-to-day
decisions about your
diabetes, and the more you
know about diabetes, the
easier this will be.
Some people you may
wish to have in your health
care team are:
Your doctor has a central
role in checking your
diabetes and helping
you to manage it.
A diabetes educator will
work with you to help
you understand and
A dietitian will work with
you to plan healthy
eating.
An endocrinologist is
a medical specialist
who can provide expert
advice on how to
(You may not need an
endocrinologist straight
away).
A podiatrist can help you
keep your feet healthy.
An ophthalmologist is
an eye specialist who
will monitor your eyes
for any changes and
arrange treatment if
needed.
An optometrist
prescribes glasses but
can also check for eye
problems.
A pharmacist at your
local NDSS Access
Point can give advice
about how to get the
best benefit from your
medicines and discuss
the side effects. Your
doctor can ask for a
pharmacist to do a
medication review with
you.

45
Your dentist needs to
know you have diabetes
and should be seen
every six months.
A counsellor,
psychologist,
psychiatrist or social
worker can help if you’re
under stress or finding
it hard to deal with the
emotional side of your
diabetes.
An exercise physiologist
or physiotherapist can
help work out the best
exercise plan for you.
NDSS Agents have a
range of education and
support programs and
resources available to
help you understand
and manage your
diabetes.
Diabetes Centres
can provide you with
specialised advice to
help you manage your
diabetes. Diabetes
Centres are located in
public hospitals, some
private hospitals and
some community health
centres. Your doctor can
arrange a referral to a
Diabetes Centre near
you.
You may be
overwhelmed by all
the information you’ve
been given. Your health
care team can take you
through your personal
diabetes management
plan, step by step, so
make an appointment
right away. Also, talk
with your family, friends
and others who may
be living with diabetes.
Remember, though, that
every person’s diabetes
is different, and what
suits someone else
may not suit you. With
diabetes, one size does
not fit all.

46
Privacy
immediate relatives have
had diabetes, treatment
information and insulin
status. We also collect
information about NDSS
product sales.
We will always collect
your information from
you directly unless it’s
unreasonable or impractical
to do so. When a person
with diabetes is under
15 years old, or is an adult
receiving continuing care,
the person’s primary carer
or guardian must consent
to the collection of the
person’s information.
We collect your information
in a few different ways,
including through forms,
correspondence, our
website and information
you provide while visiting
NDSS Access Points and
NDSS Agents.
We take reasonable steps
to protect the information
we hold from misuse,
interference, unauthorised
access, modification, loss
or disclosure.
Diabetes Australia is
governed by the Privacy
Act 1988. The Privacy
Act sets out how we
handle your personal
and sensitive information.
Personal information is any
information that identifies
or could identify a person,
whether it is true or not. It
includes your name, age,
gender and contact details.
Personal information can
also include sensitive
information, which is
information about your
health and health services
provided to you.
Diabetes Australia collects
personal and sensitive
information such as your
name, contact details, date
of birth, Medicare number,
country of birth, whether
you’re of Aboriginal or
Torres Strait Islander origin,
the main language spoken
at home, details of your
parent or carer, details of
your medical practitioner,
the type of diabetes you
have, your height and
weight, whether your

47
Our employees and
contracted third parties
must sign a confidentiality
agreement that requires
them to comply with the
privacy principles as set out
in the Privacy Act.
We only use and disclose
your personal and sensitive
information for purposes
which are directly related
to the reason you provided
us with your information in
the first place, and where
you would reasonably
expect us to use or disclose
your information. For
example, we may use your
information to contact you
in relation to information or
services that relate to the
NDSS.
Diabetes Australia may
send you information about
opportunities to participate
in research by third parties,
which is voluntary. To
update your preference
to be contacted about
research opportunities,
please contact our
Infoline on 1300 136 588
or go to our website at
www.ndss.com.au to
complete a Personal Details
Update form.
We take reasonable steps
to ensure that all personal
information we hold is
accurate, up-to-date and
complete. You can ask
to access or correct your
personal information at
any time by contacting our
Privacy Officer.
You can find the full Privacy
Policy on www.ndss.com.au
or you can request a hard
copy by contacting our
Privacy Officer. If you
have any questions, or if
you would like to make
a complaint about how
we have handled your
information, please contact
our Privacy Officer. More
information about the
Privacy Act and what it
means for you can be found
at www.privacy.gov.au.
Privacy Officer
Diabetes Australia
GPO Box 3156, Canberra ACT 2601
P:(02) 6232 3800
E:privacy@diabetesaustralia.com.au

49
DiabetesOrganisations
Diabetes
Diabetes
Organisations
Online
Resources

50
Diabetes Australia 51
State and territory diabetes 52
organisations
Contact details 53
CONTENTS

51
Diabetes Australia
Diabetes Australia is the
national body for diabetes
in Australia and it provides
a collective and powerful
voice for people affected
by all types of diabetes
and those at risk. Diabetes
Australia works to raise
awareness about the
seriousness of diabetes,
promoting prevention and
early detection strategies
and advocating for
better standards of care.
Diabetes Australia is also
a significant financial
contributor to research
into better treatments for
diabetes and the search
for a cure.
Together with state
and territory diabetes
organisations, and
through the administration
of the NDSS, Diabetes
Australia provides practical
assistance and information
to over one million people
with diabetes in Australia.
Diabetes
Organisations

52
State and territory diabetes
organisations
All state and territory
organisations are
independent, not-for-profit,
member-based registered
charities. They depend
on memberships and
fundraising to provide
services supporting people
with diabetes, health
professionals and members
of the public. Membership
to these organisations is
optional.
State and territory diabetes
organisations provide a
wide range of benefits,
items and services to
their members, providing
up-to-date information to
ensure you have access
to everything you need
to better understand and
manage you diabetes.
Contact your state
or territory diabetes
organisation to find out how
you can receive:
a member magazine
and other publications to
help you manage your
diabetes
advice on how to use a
wide range of diabetes
products
information on how
to self-manage your
diabetes
education programs and
support groups
discounts on various
goods and services
online access and
e-newsletters
local support and a
public voice for you.

53
Contact details
NDSS at Diabetes
Australia
P: (02) 6232 3800
W: www.ndss.com.au
E: ndss@diabetesaustralia.com.au
Postal address:
GPO Box 3156
Canberra ACT 2601
Street address:
Level 1, 101 Northbourne Avenue,
Turner ACT 2612
NSW and ACT
Diabetes NSW
P: 1300 136 588
F: 1300 536 953
W: www.diabetesnsw.com.au
E: info@diabetesnsw.com.au
Sydney
Address:
26 Arundel Street
Glebe NSW 2037
Port Macquarie:
Address:
11/35 Merrigal Road
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Wagga Wagga
Address:
23 Baylis Stree
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Newcastle
Address:
535 Hunter Street
Newcastle West NSW 2032
Tamworth
Address:
31 Dean Street
Tamworth NSW 2340
Wollongong
Address:
Shop 3, 313–323 Crown Street,
Wollongong NSW 2500
NT
Healthy Living NT
P: 1300 136 588
F: 1300 536 953
W: www.healthylivingnt.org.au
E: info@healthylivingnt.org.au

54
Darwin
Address:
Shop 1 & 2 Tiwi Place,
Tiwi NT 0810
Alice Springs
Address:
Jock Nelson Centre
7 / 16 Hartley Street
Alice Springs NT 0870
QLD
Diabetes Queensland
P: 1300 136 588
F: 1300 536 953
W: www.diabetesqld.org.au
E: info@diabetesqld.org.au
Address:
29 Finchley Street,
Milton QLD 4064
SA
Diabetes SA
P: 1300 136 588
F: 1300 536 953
W: www.diabetessa.com.au
E: info@diabetessa.com.au
Address:
159 Sir Donald Bradman Drive,
Hilton SA 5033
TAS
Diabetes Tasmania
P: 1300 136 588
F: 1300 536 953
W: www.diabetestas.org.au
E: mail@diabetestas.org.au
Hobart
Address:
88 Bathurst Street,
Hobart TAS 7000
Launceston
Address:
64 Cameron Street,
Launceston TAS 7250
VIC
Diabetes Australia – Vic
P: 1300 136 588
F: 1300 536 953
W: www.diabetesvic.org.au
E: info@diabetesvic.org.au
Address:
570 Elizabeth Street,
Melbourne VIC 3000
WA
Diabetes WA
P: 1300 136 588
F: 1300 536 953
W: www.diabeteswa.com.au
E: info@diabeteswa.com.au
Subiaco
Address:
Level 3/322 Hay Street,
Subiaco WA 6008
Belmont
Address:
172 Campbell Street,
Belmont WA 6104

55
OnlineResources
Diabetes
Diabetes
Organisations
Online
Resources

56
NDSS resources
Other online resources
CONTENTS

57
Online
resources
NDSS resources
NDSS website
Information about the NDSS,
resources, education programs
and research. Free resources and
information sheets on topics such
as diabetes, other health issues
associated with diabetes, healthy
eating, young people, diabetes
and pregnancy, older people and
diabetes and many more topics.
Some information is available in
multiple languages.
Visit ndss.com.au or phone our
Helpline 1300 136 588 to request a
hardcopy.
myD
An interactive online resource
for people aged 16-25 living with
diabetes. It covers topics such as
school, travel, work, driving and
general health.
www.ndss.com.au/myd
Gestational Diabetes
Information and resources on
gestational diabetes.
www.ndss.com.au/GD
NDSS Online Diabetes
Management Program
An online program to help you better
Diabetes and Pregnancy
A website for women with type
1 or type 2 diabetes providing
information on planning and
preparing for pregnancy, managing
diabetes during pregnancy, birth and
beyond.
Pregnancy and diabetes resources
can be downloaded or ordered from
the website.
www.pregnancyanddiabetes.com.au
Multicultural Diabetes
Portal
A library of translated diabetes
resources for people from
culturally and linguistically diverse
communities. This includes
factsheets and brochures in a
wide variety of languages about
managing diabetes and living well
www.multiculturalportal.ndss.com.au
Online Services Directory
Search for NDSS Access Points
and doctors, endocrinologists,
credentialled diabetes educators,
dietitians or other health
professionals in your area.
www.osd.ndss.com.au

58
Other online resources
There are a number of
online resources to help
you manage your diabetes.
In addition to resources
produced by the NDSS,
there are online resources
available from peak bodies
and other organisations
catering for people across
the country and from all
walks of life.
This book contains links
to other websites that
are not controlled by
Diabetes Australia. While
care has been taken in
providing these links,
Diabetes Australia is
not responsible for the
content on those sites
and does not necessarily
endorse their content. It
is the responsibility of the
web user to assess the
accuracy and reliability of
the information.
Health professionals
and health services
National Health Services
Directory
Find a general practice,
pharmacy, emergency
department or hospital
near you
www.nhsd.com.au
Accredited Optometrists
www.optometrists.asn.au
Credentialled Diabetes
Educators
www.adea.com.au
Accredited Practising
Dietitians
www.daa.asn.au
Accredited Podiatrists
www.apodc.com.au
Australian Association for
Exercise & Sports Science
Find an exercise physiologist
near you
www.essa.org.au
Indigenous Allied Health
Australia
www.indigenousalliedhealth.com.au
Royal Australian College of
General Practitioners
www.racgp.org.au

59
Health and
wellbeing
Australian Centre for
Behavioural Research in
Diabetes (ACBRD)
National research centre
dedicated to investigating the
behavioural, psychological and
social aspects of diabetes. The
centre is a partnership between
Diabetes Australia − Vic and
Deakin University
www.acbrd.org.au
Healthinsite
Government-funded online
health information service
www.healthinsite.gov.au
MyDr
Commercial health care website
with information on a wide
range of health issues, including
diabetes
www.mydr.com.au
Real Time Health
Real Time Health offers free
mobile apps for diabetes self-
management. You can find
these in the App store or Google
Play by searching for ‘real time
health’
Nutrition Australia
Information on food and
nutrition, including healthy
recipes
www.nutritionaustralia.org
Counselling and
mental health
Online diabetes counselling
Education and support service
for people living with diabetes,
their families and friends
www.diabetescounselling.com.au
Beyond Blue
Online and telephone support
and information for people living
with depression or anxiety
www.beyondblue.org
P: 1300 224 636
SANE Australia
Information, programs and
campaigns for people affected by
mental illness
www.sane.org
Lifeline
Crisis support, suicide prevention
and mental health support
services
www.lifeline.org.au
P: 13 11 14

60
Drug anwd alcohol
counselling
Quitline
Information and support service
for people who want to quit
smoking
www.quitnow.gov.au
P:13 78 48
Counselling Online
Drug and alcohol counselling
online and information for drug
users, families and others
www.counsellingonline.org.au
P: 1800 888 236
Children
Kids Helpline
Telephone and online
counselling service for young
people aged 5–25
www.kidshelp.com.au
P: 1800 551 800
Children with Diabetes
An online community for children
with diabetes and their families
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation
Information on research into
juvenile diabetes
www.jdrf.org.au
Young adults
Headspace
Health advice, mental health
counselling and information for
young people aged 12–25
www.headspace.org.au
Indigenous resources
Indigenous Health
Health information for
Indigenous Australians
www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au
Multilingual resources
Health topics: diabetes
Multilingual resources on topics
such as risk factors for diabetes,
diabetes and your eyes, and
diabetes in pregnancy
www.health.qld.gov.au/
multicultural/public/diabetes.asp
Multicultural Centre for
Women’s Health
Multilingual resources for
immigrant and refugee women
www.mcwh.com.au

61
Rural and remote
resources
Centre for Rural and
Remote Mental Health
www.crrmh.com.au
Rural Health Education
Foundation
Health education for rural and
remote communities, including
the Rural Health Channel
www.rhef.com.au
Other resources
National Relay Service
A phone solution for people who
are deaf or have a hearing or
speech impediment
www.relayservice.gov.au
TTY/voice calls 13 36 77
Speak & Listen 1300 555 727
Driving for people with
diabetes
New medical standards for
assessing fitness to drive
www.austroads.com.au/
assessing-fitness-to-drive
Diabetes and driving booklet
www.ndss.com.au
International Diabetes
Federation
www.idf.org
Peak bodies
Australian Diabetes Society
www.diabetessociety.com.au
Australia Diabetes Educators
Association
www.adea.com.au/
Heart Foundation
www.heartfoundation.com.au
Kidney Health Australia
www.kidney.org.au
Stroke Foundation
www.strokefoundation.com.au
Cancer Council Australia
www.cancer.org.au
Carers Australia
www.carersaustralia.com.au
Palliative Care Australia
www.palliativecare.org.au

62
Australian Government
departments and
initiatives
Australian Department of
Health
www.health.gov.au
Pharmaceutical Benefits
Scheme
www.health.gov.au/pbs
Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare
www.aihw.gov.au
Food Standards Australia and
New Zealand
www.foodstandards.gov.au
Medicare Australia
www.humanservices.gov.au
National Health and Medical
Research Council
www.nhmrc.gov.au
Therapeutic Goods
Administration
www.tga.gov.au

C2 ndss information for people with diabetes

C2 ndss information for people with diabetes

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (20)

Similar to C2 ndss information for people with diabetes

Similar to C2 ndss information for people with diabetes (20)

More from Diabetes for all

More from Diabetes for all (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

C2 ndss information for people with diabetes