Diabetes clinic cuts waiting times

EASY TO SEE: Educator Kathy Harrison helps her patients manage diabetes at the new QML Pathology care clinic.

Sarah Harvey

A NEW diabetes care clinic in Ipswich will help cut the average six-month wait for patients needing to see an educator.

QML Pathology has opened several bulk-billed clinics around Queensland to meet the demand for treatment relating to Australia's fastest growing chronic disease.

Medical director Dr Debra Norris said the clinics would dramatically slash waiting times for both new and existing patients.

"QML's diabetes care clinics will provide welcome relief for the public health system," Dr Norris said.

"Working in collaboration with the patient's own GP, early action following a diagnosis is crucial to a patient's long-term health.

"All new patients can be seen within two weeks, with priority given to newly diagnosed patients.

"This is great news for the one in 10 Queenslanders who suffer from diabetes."

Credentialed diabetes educator Kathy Harrison has been working with QML Pathology for more than 12 months.

Ms Harrison has noticed that younger patients are developing diabetes.

"I've seen people in their 20s," she said.

"It's not just because of diet - it's family and history.

"There are a lot of complications with untreated diabetes. It's one of the leading causes of blindness, and the risk of heart disease and stroke increases."

Ms Harrison said men and women with type 2 diabetes might not have symptoms, or be sick enough to go to their doctor.

"People with type 2 diabetes, they account for 85% of people we see," she said.

"Diabetes is problems to do with your insulin. There are lots of treatment options.

"Our patients are referred by the GP and at our first meeting we will run through their medical background, look at their glucose levels and pathology tests," she said.

For details about the diabetes care clinics, visit www.diabetes. medway.com.au or phone 5441 0200.