Multidisciplinary clinic with Endocrinologists and Diabetes Educators in attendance to manage patients with Type 1 and complex Type 2 diabetes. Patients are triaged by Consultant Endocrinologists into one of the following pathways:
Diabetes Clinic (Type 1 & 2 diabetes) [SDIAB]
Rapid Access Clinic
Patients with:
Type 1 diabetes
Complex Type 2 diabetes (e.g. diabetic complications)
Type 2 diabetes on maximal oral agents, with suboptimal diabetes control
Steroid induced diabetes
Uncomplicated Type 2 diabetes where HbA1c is less than 8% (64 mmol/mol) - the majority of these patients are most appropriately managed in primary care (RACGP diabetes guidelines). Discuss exceptions with the Endocrinology Registrar (page through Western Health switchboard: 8345 6666). No HbA1c threshold applies to patients with an EGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m2
Patients with HbA1c 8.0% (64 mmol/mol) or higher but appropriate for their age and /or comorbidities (e.g. elderly patients, asymptomatic patients with limited life expectancy)
Patients managed by an endocrinologist at another public health service or privately, unless special circumstances exist (e.g. patient has changed address and is now at significant distance from the previous service)
Patients without diabetes (e.g. insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, obesity)
Patients discharged from Western Health Diabetes Clinic or another Diabetes Clinic in the last 12 months, unless they have developed new symptoms, new/worsening complications, or a rise in HbA1c greater than 1.0% (8 mmol/mol) which has not responded to escalation in primary care management.
Suspicion of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) e.g. abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, dehydration, significantly elevated ketones:
Hypoglycaemia resulting in unconsciousness
Infected diabetic foot ulcer
Acute deterioration in vision
Click here for specific access and referral criteria and requirements.
Please note referrals that do not contain the minimum investigations outlined above will be returned with a request for more information. Referrers have 30 days to respond to a request for more information otherwise the referral will not be accepted.
MBS patients are bulk billed. Referrals need to be to the named Head of Unit.
See here for information on how to refer and general contact information fax referrals to 8345 6856.
Call Endocrinology Registrar to discuss (03 8345 6666 and page)
Newly diagnosed/suspected Type 1 diabetes (not in DKA)
Blood glucose greater than 20 mmol/L, or repeatedly over 15 mmol/L
