Type 1 Diabetes

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (15:38): It is about time! To take up the theme of the recent National Diabetes Week, it is about time to raise awareness and bring support to those in our community living with, in particular, type 1 diabetes. In the short time available to me this afternoon I want to bring honourable members' attention to the lived experience of two of my constituents.

The first is the daughter of Karen, our near neighbour. Karen's daughter is primary school age and living with type 1 diabetes and all the complications that brings. That is something that has attended her throughout her childhood. Karen has brought to my attention the fact that, as has been raised as part of National Diabetes Week, it is so important, in considering how we understand and relate to the condition, that we understand the need for an integrated support process for those who live with diabetes.

This is particularly acute in relation to the experience of small children, and that is particularly so as they transition into school. Karen has brought to my attention that at present we can do much more as we understand the connection between the health environment and the education environment, when it comes to assisting young children as they move into a school environment, to manage day-to-day living with diabetes and managing the condition.

Karen has brought to my attention that the family has received a tremendous quality and level of integrated support from those at Flinders and have been fortunate to have crossed paths with a parent at school who had earlier lived with a similar experience with their child. She observed that there is room to improve on the level of support provided in the school environment from the outset. That is to be contrasted with the experience in the UK, where upon diagnosis a meeting of all staff and support processes was contemplated from the outset. It is an important message to ensure that we do what we can for those children suffering with type 1 diabetes to be supported, particularly as they transition to school.

To then take up the example of a constituent and friend Kate, who suffers as an adult with the day-to-day complications of living with type 1 diabetes, those day-to-day experiences for Kate, who also has a working colleague in her business in the Hills, involve very practical challenges, such as obtaining insurance so that she is covered for the work she does in her business. Real difficulties are encountered as Kate endeavours to seek appropriate insurance.

Something that those who are living with the condition are acutely aware of is that diabetes comes with substantial costs to those who live with it day to day. It is important that those living with diabetes invest early in their long-term treatment so as to get the best routines in place. It is also noted that government funding for glucose monitoring is an excellent start, and we must increasingly be aware and do more to help those who have the condition.