More support for insulin pumps for kids
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the Australian Diabetes Council have partnered to deliver a pilot program that aims to improve the quality of life for children across NSW living with type 1 diabetes whose families may otherwise not be able to afford insulin pumps.
The Australian Government offers a subsidy towards the cost of insulin pumps of up to 80% (means tested) but the payment gap can make it difficult for children from low income families to have access to this technology.
Two organisations, the Australian Diabetes Council and JDRF, have come together to bridge this gap through the Insulin Pump Program – working to support delivery of more insulin pumps to children in NSW whose families qualify for a full 80% government subsidy.
The Australian Diabetes Council will provide the copayment of $1,600 each for 25 children in NSW (coming to $40,000 over the year).
JDRF and the Australian Diabetes Council have partnered for this project as they believe that insulin pumps have the potential to transform both life and health for children with type 1 diabetes – reducing health complications, the impact of hypoglycaemia and the stress that it causes families.
JDRF CEO Mike Wilson said insulin pumps can provide important health benefits, meaning that this program could mean the healthiest life possible – with fewer diabetes complications – for these kids.
“Insulin pumps can also help kids with type 1 diabetes live life more like their friends, with more flexibility about eating times and increased ease of management that can facilitate participation in sport and school camps.”
For more information and to apply online go to: www.jdrf.org.au/pumps
i think thats great news but how do we see if we are eligible for this assitance. My son is now 7 years old and was diagnosed last year and so far its been very difficult to manage the ups and downs however i here that this technology can stabiise the levels however i would like to here more about this.
Hi Didier,
For more information and to apply go to: http://www.jdrf.org.au/pumps.
JDRF
i think this is a great idea. Im fortunate enough to have been on an insulin pump for 4 years now and it really has transformed my life. Not only is my HBA1c the best it has ever been, i also rarely experience hypos or highs, i am not on a strict eating and injection regime. I think the sooner you get on a pump the better!!
andrew
my son has been on on a pump for 5 yrs the peace of you get when you check his BGL at 10.30 pm and know if the level is o.k you can be assured it will be o.k to the next morning giving you a good night sleep without the worry.
My Daughter went on the pump august last year at the age of 9, it has made managing her highs and lows so much better, the pump is a lot of work with carb counting, and testing every 2 hours but being a child of the electronic age she has taken it in her stride. Her HBA1c used to be in the high 9's but her last test was 7.3.
It has been the best thing ever for her. After her first couple of days on it her comment was , "Dad I Feel Normal". Good luck with it Cheers Rob
we've been on a pump for 2and a half years and still don't have stable sugar however it has made the day to day management must easier for my 11 year old to manage on his own…night times are still an issue with 2 hourly sugars..it certainly helps but is no fix…we had to join a health fund to get the pump…once we had signed up medtronic gave us a loan pump until the health fund coughed up as his doctor thought we d get better stability…..medtronic were fantastic
the reality is that even with the subsidy most people are better off in a health fund or it s just too expensive…:/ bring on a cure i say….
Thankyou to JDRF for granting my daughter the money for an insulin pump.My daughter was 4 when she was diagnosed 2 years ago this July.Now with a pump we hope she has better control over her levels!!!
My son is looking at getting a pump, but we are very low income, is there any reason why the extra help is only for those in NSW ?
How can we push for other states to come on board with NSW?