Greetings!
This Yada brings good news for Spring, PHI subsidies for pumps are to continue and approval has been given in New Zealand for a human trial of a cure of type 1 using pig islet cells, this is a world first so very exciting that it is happening in our part of the world.
There's also an opportunity to contribute to our evolving dictionary of d-slang, a guide to etiquette for non-ds and a response from Medicare on our lobbying around the issue of referrals.
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DICTIONARY OF D-SLANG
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I recently heard the ABC in hysterics over a new dictionary of modern slang, cracking up over the addition of Bogan, Studmuffin, Arm candy, Phwoar and more.
But what about all the lingo that D offers up?
Some of our favourites so far:
- NYPO - Overnight hypo (they suck)
- PROTOPAIN - derrogoratry term for a specific type of long-acting insulin, used when one has had bad experiences with it causing hypos and/or nypos
- CURED! - exclamation made when one's blood glucose meter delivers a 'normal' result, between 4 and 8mmol/L.
Do you have more?
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| *************Sponsored Announcement****************
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GREAT NEWS: PUMP SUBSIDIES PROTECTED! |
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 Insulin pumps, and their listing on the Prostheses List which means private health funds must subidise them, were due for Review - with significant concerns that they would not meet the new, tightened criteria of a prosthesis (which they are clearly not) and thus be removed from the list and left unsubsidised.
But good news is just in! The Medical Technology Association of Australia has received a letter from the Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon which states:
"I have asked the PDC to establish criteria for a new part of the List for clinically effective and cost effective devices that are not surgically implanted but with an internal part that is integral to its effectiveness and designed to combat a pathological process or modulate a physiological process, such as insulin pumps."
We understand that this ensures health insurance funding of insulin pumps and other such devices into the future.
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| REFERRALS - Response from Medicare |
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Thank you to everyone who contributed your experiences of problems obtaining and using indefinite referrals.
We have now received a response to our concerns raised in a submission to Medicare.
Amongst other comments, Medicare state:
"Specialists and consultant physicians are reminded to accept the validity of indefinite referrals and not to make unnecessary requests to referring practitioners for new referrals."
but, the GP has the ultimate authority on whether to issue a permanent referral or not.
" The decision to issue an indefinite referral is a matter for
the referring practitioner based on individual patient circumstances. " Read the response letter and discussion here |
| NZ Approves trial of Insulin Producing Cells from Pigs |
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In a world first, the NZ government has given approval for a clinical trial in which 8 people with type 1 D will be injected with insulin producing pig cells to try to cure diabetes.
For background on the issues involved in xenotransplantation, check out this ABC Catalyst story here.
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| ETIQUETTE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE DIABETES |
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This guide from the Behavioral Diabetes Institute is fantastic. Pin it on the fridge for when those annoying relatives who ask "should you be eating that" or regale you with terrible tales of their great Aunt's complications from sugar diabetes come to visit.
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QUICK SHOTS
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There are always lots of theories about what causes type 1 and why the incidence is increasing, here's a few recent theories from reputable sources.
Our online forums are always full of lively discussion, and invaluable sharing of ideas and experiences.
Topics running hot at the moment include:
Click through to check it out and join in anytime. |
| KATE'S NEW BLOG CONTINUES .... |
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