Access to holistic diabetes care for rural and remote communities across the Hunter and New England regions is set to improve with the launch of a new custom-built Medibus.
The Medibus is a fully equipped mobile health clinic which brings specialist multidisciplinary teams to towns with limited access to healthcare, including endocrinologists, a diabetes educator, Aboriginal health worker, dietitian and podiatrist.
These clinical teams support patients directly and upskill local General Practitioners , nurses, and allied health providers to provide gold-standard diabetes care and management within the primary care sector.
Diabetes remains one of the most critical health challenges for the Hunter and New England regions, with an estimated 1 in 8 people living with the condition, and many more undiagnosed. If left unmanaged, diabetes can result in serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and premature death.
Diabetes disproportionately impacts those living in low socio-economic communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
The schedule for the medibus is here:
- Narrabri - 17-18 June
- Wee Waa - 19 June
- Newcastle - July
- Lower Mid North Coast - 12-15 August
- Tamworth - 16-19 September
- Upper Hunter - 27 October-7 November
- Lower Mid North Coast - 17-19 November
Access to the Medibus is via GP or healthcare provider referral.
The Medibus is an initiative of the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus, first established in 2015 by Hunter New England Local Health District and the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network.
In 2023, a five-year, $12.4 million donation from the Colonial Foundation enabled the program to expand. This included welcoming new partners, including the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, to lead innovative research and evaluate the program's impact on patient outcomes and the broader health system.
In the past ten years the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus has:
- Supported more than 190 general practices across the district
- Engaged with over 700 GPs and practice nurses through specialist consultations
- Provided care to more than 6,500 patients via face-to-face and virtual clinics
Further information can be found on the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+) website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
"Diabetes is a significant challenge, particularly in rural and remote areas, and I applaud this initiative which will reduce travel burdens, improve health outcomes, and support both patients and healthcare professionals.
"This bus is a significant step forward in ensuring all communities have equitable access to expert, evidence-based diabetes care.
"I am really glad this bus will make stops in Wee Waa, Narrabri, Tamworth, the Lower Mid North Coast, and the Upper Hunter this year."
Quotes attributed to Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
"The launch of the DAP+ Medibus is a great example of how innovation and multi-agency collaboration can bring lifesaving healthcare to the people and places that need it most.
"This mobile clinic is all about closing the gap - especially for communities in rural and remote areas where access to healthcare can be limited or out of reach.
"We want people to get the care they need without the stress or burden of travelling long distances which is why I'm so proud to see the Medibus rolling out in the Hunter."
Quotes attributable to Hunter New England Local Health District Chief Executive, Tracey McCosker:
"The DAP+ Medibus is a game changer for our rural and regional communities. By bringing specialist diabetes care directly to people's doorsteps, it ensures that everyone, regardless of where they live, can access the support they need to manage diabetes and improve their quality of life."
Quotes attributable to Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network Chief Executive, Richard Nankervis:
"Our region faces a higher burden of diabetes than the state average, and many rural areas struggle with access to care. The DAP+ Medibus will help change that by bringing tailored, best-practice diabetes management directly into vulnerable communities."
Quotes attributable to Hunter Medical Research Institute Director & Chief Executive, Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin:
"By collecting robust data on patient outcomes and system-wide impacts, we will demonstrate the program's effectiveness and build a case for expansion beyond the Hunter New England region."
Quotes attributable to University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO:
"Through research and collaboration, DAP+ is leading the way in diabetes care and improving health outcomes for communities across the Hunter and New England."
