- Cook Government is expanding the Diabetes Connect service
- $4 million expansion will improve community-based diabetes care
- GPs will consult directly with specialist endocrinologists to support patients
- Cook Government ensuring all Western Australians can access the care they need, when they need it
The Cook Government is supporting the State-wide expansion of the Diabetes Connect program, improving access to specialist expertise for general practitioners and helping more Western Australians receive care close to home.
Delivered by Diabetes WA, the program allows general practitioners (GPs) to consult directly with specialist endocrinologists when managing patients with diabetes.
By enabling GPs to seek timely advice from specialists, the service supports more patients to receive care in the community through their trusted primary care provider.
Originally piloted for regional GPs, the Diabetes Connect service will now be State-wide, ensuring clinicians across Western Australia can access expert endocrinology advice.
Through the program, GPs can consult endocrinologists, improving timeframes for specialist access and helping connect patients to a broader range of diabetes education, support and management services.
The initiative forms part of the State Government's election commitment to strengthen community-based support for people living with diabetes, with grants awarded to Diabetes WA and the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre to deliver integrated diabetes care and support programs through to 2029.
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"Diabetes Connect is helping Western Australians living with diabetes to receive expert care sooner and closer to home.
"The State-wide expansion of this program follows the successful rollout in regional WA, where more than 130 individual GPs have utilised the service to support their patients with diabetes.
"This program is strengthening the important role of primary care in our community by giving GPs direct access to specialist endocrinologists.
"This initiative is part of our commitment to improving support for people living with diabetes while easing pressure on our hospital system."
