Diabetes

Diabetes can be a long-lasting health condition. It can affect some people their whole life, or for a short time with proper management.

Diabetes can affect:

  • pregnant women (gestational diabetes)
  • young children and teenagers (Type 1 diabetes)
  • people who develop diabetes because of genetic and environmental factors such as a poor diet (Type 2 diabetes).

Proper management of diabetes can help you reduce the risk of other health issues, including:

  • gum disease
  • slow-healing wounds
  • heart disease.

We offer many services for people with diabetes. This includes learning how to manage your condition and support groups where you can meet other people in the same situation as you.

Diabetes prevention

People at high risk of diabetes can attend our ‘Life’ program, which is a diabetes prevention program. It runs throughout the year at our Latrobe Valley sites.

The five-session program focuses on improving your lifestyle through setting goals like:

  • exercising regularly
  • eating well
  • quitting smoking.

Our staff can also provide you with accurate health information on how to delay getting Type 2 diabetes.

Locations

This service is offered in 5 locations

Related Services

Diabetes education

Pregnant woman

There are informal support groups for people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

A diabetes educator can help if you have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes education can assist you if:

  • you have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
  • you have gestational diabetes
  • you are required to start medication to manage your diabetes
  • you want to better manage your diabetes and improve your general well-being.

Most initial appointments are in a group session except for those with gestational diabetes or those who are required to commence medication to manage their diabetes.

Diabetes support groups

Glucose finger prick test

There are informal support groups for people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes support group meets:

Date: First Wednesday of every second month
Location: Morwell
Time: 6.30pm to 8pm

Type 2 diabetes support group meets:

Date: Last Wednesday of each month
Location: Morwell
Time: 10am to 12pm

Eligibility

Diabetes prevention program

To attend the diabetes prevention program, you must be at high risk of diabetes and aged 45 years and above, unless you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

You will need a referral, although self-referrals are also accepted. Call us on 1800 242 696 to find out about the types of tests you will be advised to take before participating in this program.

Diabetes education program

Public diabetes education services are available to people who work, live or study in Latrobe City. We prioritise our services for people on low-medium incomes and holders of concession cards.

Private diabetes education services are available for people with allied health MBS referrals, eligible DVA referrals and those with private health insurance.

Claims under TAC and WorkCover are not eligible.

Diabetes support groups

The support groups are open to people with diabetes who live in Latrobe City Council.

Cost

Diabetes prevention program

The diabetes prevention program is free for most people, although it will cost high income earners $50 in total.

Diabetes education program

Public clients

Concession card holders

  • $17.00 per consult

Non-concession card holders

  • $29.00 per consult

Private clients 

  • $65.70 per consult
Diabetes support groups

Attendance at the diabetes support groups is by gold coin donation.

Latrobe Community Health Service is committed to ensuring access to services for everyone in the community.

Call 1800 242 696 to discuss your individual situation. We can discuss costs with you before any treatment begins.

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