Medical and surgical

Diabetes education

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, pre-diabetes or are newly diagnosed during admission you may benefit from a diabetes education program.

Learning how to manage diabetes can seem overwhelming, however our education and support can help you continue to enjoy your life while ensuring your condition is under control.

Our specialist program can equip you, your family and carers with the knowledge, skills, motivation and confidence to manage your condition and make decisions about your care and treatment.

Diabetes education service

Our diabetes education service provides diabetes information, self-management education and support.

The service is available to individuals and groups and includes:

education about medications used in diabetes management as well as the role of insulin in diabetes management and use of insulin devices
provision of blood glucose monitors and education in blood glucose monitoring techniques and suggested timing of monitoring
education about how to understand blood glucose levels in relation to food, physical activity and medication
continuous insulin pump therapy (CSII)
continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
services to support women with diabetes in pregnancy
strategies to deal with recurrent or severe episodes of hypoglycaemia
information about managing sick days
information about foot care
information about surgery and diabetes
lifestyle education.

Diabetes education service referrals

You can access the diabetes education service by self-referral or be referred by your doctor or health professional.

You may be referred to the diabetes education service because you:

have recently been diagnosed with diabetes
are starting or changing diabetes medicines and insulin therapy
have not met your glycaemic targets or desired clinical goals
need more self-care knowledge, skills or confidence
have had recurrent or severe episodes of hypoglycaemia and/or ketoacidosis
have a diagnosis of chronic diabetes complications or other related diseases.

Benefits of diabetes education

The benefits of participating in our diabetes education service include:

helping you adapt to life with diabetes
helping you set goals
gaining the confidence and skills to self-manage your diabetes
developing the ability to adjust your care as your condition, life or circumstances change.

These benefits depend on your particular circumstances and require you to fully participate in necessary management. You should consult a specialist in this area before deciding whether treatment is suitable for you.

Costs and fee payment options

If you have private health insurance, the costs for your hospital stay and specialist fees may be covered by your health fund, based on your level of cover.

If you don’t have private health insurance, you can access treatment at a St John of God Health Care hospital through our self-funded care option.

When you use your private health insurance, you get benefits that include access to St John of God Health Care private hospital facilities, your choice of specialist, minimal wait times, and with an eligible policy most of your hospital costs can be covered by your private health insurance fund.

You should contact your health insurer to understand your level of cover, and whether your policy is subject to additional fees such as a hospital excess or other ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses. Your health insurer will also be able to assist in understanding if you will have doctor, radiology and pathology out-of-pocket costs.

Learn more about the benefits of private health insurance.

Patients who don’t have private health insurance can choose to access St John of God Health Care private hospital services and treatments by paying fees themselves.

By accessing our self-funded care option, you’ll be able to avoid wait times and have your surgery or treatment with your choice of specialist at a St John of God Health Care private hospital.

Learn more and enquire about the self-funded care option.
Call 1300 940 199 to get a quote for self-funded treatment.

If you have received an invoice for an expense associated with treatment from a St John of God Health Care service you can pay your bill online.

Pay my bill.