A Unique Model for Delivering Diabetes Products and Services to Enhance Self Management of Diabetes
Maria Murphy, Brian Conway
Affiliation : Diabetes Australia, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Background and Aims. One of the major programs to specially address the considerable additional cost
burden borne by people with diabetes in Australia is the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). The
NDSS is an Australian Government-funded scheme that aims to “enhance the capacity of people with diabetes
to understand and manage their life with diabetes” and to promote self management. The Scheme provides test
strips, insulin pump consumables at subsidised prices, needles and syringes for free, and delivers information
and self management support services throughout Australia. Since its inception in 1987, the Scheme has been
administered by Diabetes Australia on behalf of the Australian Government. Aims of the Scheme:
Reach every person who has a medical need
Quality in product service and delivery
Maximize accessibility, particularly special needs groups
Develop and deliver diabetes health management programs to maintain or improve the health of people with
diabetes and reduce their future call on health funding
Materials and Methods. Over 3.3 million boxes of diabetes products were supplied by the NDSS during the
year to 30th of June 2004, at a total cost of about $95 million. This represented a growth of 6.5% over the
previous year. On average, each registrant purchases up to four boxes of test strips and/or needles and
syringes, each year. In terms of the overall impact of the NDSS on the lives of registrants, a recent registrant
survey conducted by Campbell Research and Consulting (CR&C)2 found that it was clear that registrants
viewed the Scheme favorably and they were positive about the impact which it had on their capacity to
manage their diabetes. The vast majority of respondents indicated that the NDSS had helped them to feel more
knowledgeable about diabetes, and that it had assisted them to feel more confident in relation to effective
management of their diabetes.
1)Dunstan et al. The Rising Prevalence of Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance: The Australian Diabe-
tes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study, Diabetes Care, 25: 829-834, 2002.
2) Campbell Research and Consulting (CR&C). Evaluation of The National Diabetes Services Scheme: A
Report for the Department of Health and Ageing. May 2005.
Results. As at the 30th of June 2004, some 658,743 people with diabetes were registered with the Scheme. The
AusDiab study1 findings suggested that as at 2000, about 940 000 Australians over the age of 25 have
diabetes. The Scheme is successfully capturing the majority of diagnosed people with diabetes in Australia. At
the time of the AusDiab study, Diabetes Australia estimated that approximately 95% or more, of those diag-
nosed were registered on the NDSS. A specific objective of the NDSS is to maximise accessibility to diabetes
products and services. The NDSS is able to reach a significant majority of individuals with a need for diabetes
products and services using a combination of over-the counter, telephone, on-line and mail ordering facilities.
The NDSS also requires the implementation of community tailored programs focusing on improving the
quality of diabetes care and self management. Particular focus has been on priority areas such the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander community, those with Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and Young People with
diabetes.
Conclusion. The NDSS registers approximately 5800 newly diagnosed patients each month. The referrals
made by health professionals remain the most important step in introducing the newly diagnosed to the
benefits of registering on the NDSS. With Type 2 diabetes growing at an alarming rate, it is apparent that the
NDSS will continue to play an important role in providing products and services to people with diabetes into
the future.
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