Recent Posts

Sharon, If you mean the DAFNE Diary then your DAFNE centre will be able to provide them to you (assuming you're a graduate). Alternatively they can be bought from the DAFNE Shop (http://www.dafne.uk.com/DAFNE_Shop-64.html).

May 30, 2016

Alan 49 280 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Emigrating

Yes, good luck Steve - I hope it all goes well for you. Please keep us posted.

May 30, 2016

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Emigrating

Hi,
In Australia we have a two tier system. If you can afford it, or for philosophical reasons you choose private health insurance you pay for this. As a single adult with no dependents it costs me about $AUD 2500 per year. The good thing about this is that you choose your doctor, GP, Specialist etc. Example: my GP(my choice) charges me $AUD70 per visit. The government gives me a rebate of a bit over $30. In the beginning the doctors were encouraged to bulk bill which meant that if you went to the doctor he/she charged you exactly what the rebate was and it was just paperwork. However, doctors in wealthier areas decided that their renumeration was not sufficient so they started charging more, and more...you get the picture. Some still charge pensioners a reduced rate but mine does not. My specialist costs a lot more. Not sure but I think each visit actually costs me about $AUD120 (out of pocket). When you are referred to a specialist the first visit is in the vicinity of $AUD440 as it takes time to take a history etc. You get some of this back... as a Medicare rebate. Currently we are in election mode and the Conservative's policy is to continue a freeze of medicare rebates so this means that if the doctors raise their fees the difference will be paid by the patient. The doctors are protesting and declaring their practices will not be viable. The Labor Party is talking removing the freeze ASAP. Budget constraints. You also get a small tax break if you are privately insured..to encourage you to pay for your own health needs. If you opt out then you have to rely on the public system and the few times I have used the hospital system I have been happy with the quality. Most people I know dip in and out of the public system. e.g. if you break your arm at football you can go to the emergency department at the local public hospital and they will X-ray it set it etc or you can go to the private hospital where the waiting time is less but you will pay several hundred for the same service. If you have a serious hypo and are ambulanced to hospital it will be a public hospital unless you state otherwise. If you want to find a GP that bulk bills you will have to search for one yourself. There are a few scattered about (often newly established). You can also choose to go to a diabetic clinic at a public hospital but you wait for a longer time and do not get to see the same doctor whenever you do go. There are advantages in being able to ring up the specialist (called an endocrinologist) at a weeks notice if things go pear shape. If you are hospitalised by your endo. he/she usually nominates the private hospital.

My health fund has just agreed to purchase my second pump...the old one was losing definition on the screen. The cost is quoted as $AUD 9,500...I pay nothing towards the pump but I have to pay $350 to be taught how to use it by a private Credentialed Diabetic Educator. I have also agreed to purchase (myself) a Contour Next Link 2.4 which will talk to my new pump remotely. If I go CGM that will also cost me way more. I will see. The consumables for my current pump cost me about $120 for three months (strips, cartridges, comfort sets) but that obviously depends on how many you use. My insulin comes in 3ml (300U) vials and you can get 25 (5x5) of them on prescription for about $30. I am assuming that as you are a Brit. all thing will be the same but you ought to check. Have you tried Australia House?

If you do take out private insurance there are waiting times before you are eligible. So joining a health fund will not necessarily guarantee you a pump. I believe it depends on the health fund. Finding a suitable health fund is also similar to finding a phone company...!!!

Good luck.

Helen

May 29, 2016

SteveDH 1 post

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Emigrating

I am emigrating from UK to Australia in the summer. I'm trying to get information on how diabetic patients are supported in Australia, specifically how diabetes equipment and supplies are arranged in Australia, wondering if there are any users who have knowledge of this? Cool

May 27, 2016

Marsbar63 5 posts

Hi Sharon, not sure what you mean by physical monitoring diary. What is it you actually want to keep a record of?

May 27, 2016

alturn 78 posts

Try the firm who supplied your meter.

J

May 27, 2016

sharon read 1 post

hi
does anyone know where i can obtain a physical monitoring diary please? Very Happy

May 22, 2016

Trish Skidmore 18 posts

Topic: General Discussion / freestyle libra

Thanks Peter

May 22, 2016

Peter 103 posts

Topic: General Discussion / freestyle libra

Trish,

There is full discussion of the Libre here: Cyborg Times. In my opinion it is definitely worthwhile, provided you're aware of it's few limitations. Your DAFNE team at Sheffield will also be able to advise you.

Finally, I was speaking to an Abbott representative two weeks ago who told me that their work on demonstrating the benefits was nearly finished using data from patients in 6 European countries and they hoped to be making the case for its availability on prescription very soon.

May 21, 2016

Trish Skidmore 18 posts

Topic: General Discussion / freestyle libra

Hi Is anybody using the freestyle Libre, I am thinking of purchasing myself and I am wondering is it worth it or am I best saving my money and sticking to the ones wee get free off NHS.

May 18, 2016

Marsbar63 5 posts

Why get it removed? Keep it as a reminder of all the fun you had being type 1.

May 18, 2016

marke 643 posts

Topic: Site Development / Petition link on home page has been archived

yes I know sorry, really need to re-issue the site, to remove it......

May 18, 2016

marke 643 posts

since AM and PM are both 12 hours periods there is a lot more to the split than dose. That said I did split mine 22 and 18 which is a big difference to 15% and 85%, however now I don't need BI at all Laughing

the joys of a pump.....

May 18, 2016

marke 643 posts

Not for me, when they release the cure in a couple of years, I would have to get it removed Wink

May 18, 2016

marke 643 posts

Topic: General Discussion / sweet drinks

Hi, If its a bottled cocktail it should be on the bottle, If it's not then its a bit of guess work based on volume and ingredient. You would need to be more precise on the ingredient. I wasn't aware that DAFNE specified anything about having juice alone, its not the handbooks we have. It does have a high GI but in moderation I don't see why it would be a problem. I use the reduced sugar juices and don't see why they would be a problem.

May 18, 2016

Alan 49 280 posts

I have 4 units of BI in the morning and 14 in the evening - seems to work for me.

May 17, 2016

Marsbar63 5 posts

If I had any idea how to put a picture anywhere then I gladly would, but I honestly have no idea. Sorry.

May 17, 2016

alturn 78 posts

I try to keep mine equal (currently 13 and 13). I was on 14 and 11 and my BGs were a bit erratic so it was suggested at Diabetic clinic to try to equalise. (I got the impression the DSN preferred them to be more equal)
But we're all different - it may depend on your activity etc. If your BGs and HBA1C are in range, then maybe you've found a regime to suit you.
If you do change, probably best to do it gradually and wait 2 or 3 days between each adjustment.

Hope this helps,
J

May 17, 2016

Liamstack80 1 post

I split my bi 15% in the am 85% in the pm.
Is anyone else using a split as highly weighted to either the am or pm?
What kind of splits are people using?

May 17, 2016

Craig Watson 1 post