Did you know the Eye and Ear have Credentialled Diabetes Nurse Educators?
This National Diabetes Week, we’re raising awareness through Diabetes Australia’s theme ‘Living out Loud’, a campaign inviting people living with diabetes, their carers, researchers, health professionals, and clinicians to say, out loud and without apology, the one thing they’ve always wished people knew.
One thing people might now know about the Eye and Ear is that we have dedicated Diabetes Nurse Educators available to support patients who are diabetic or pre-diabetic in managing their condition. So we’re lifting the lid on what they do and how they can help you when you come to the Eye and Ear.
What is a Credentialed Diabetes Nurse Educator?
A Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) is a health professional with specialist knowledge and expertise in the field of diabetes education. They help people to manage their diabetes or prediabetes by providing personal care and support.
What are the benefits of the service?
CDEs help people living with diabetes as well as people who have been diagnosed with prediabetes. They also support carers and guardians of people living with diabetes. CDEs complement General Practitioners (GPs) to provide specialised holistic expertise in diabetes care and management, which is vital for educating people to successfully self-manage their diabetes.
How can a patient access this support at the Eye and Ear?
At our hospital, patients need a referral from their treating doctor, nurse, or allied health clinician to access the Diabetes Educator team. Please discuss this with your care team at your appointment so they can help organise this.
If patients want to see a CDE in the community, they are commonly referred by their GP.
What message would you give patients who might hesitate to get in touch?
The key message to patients is that investing time in understanding diabetes and making healthy choices can reduce the risk of complications, and CDEs can provide individualised support and help patients on their journey.
What is your message for diabetic patients during National Diabetes Week?
Diabetes is a serious and complex medical condition. It requires effective management, with allied health professionals where needed, to help you live happily and well. If you require extra help, chat to your health professional about what resources are available to you.
We also have some fact sheets on Community Health Services across the north, east, south and west metro areas, which you can access below:
Community Health Services – North and West Metro
Community Health Services – Eastern Metro
Community Health Services – Southern Metro
What if a patient needs an interpreter for the appointment?
To request an interpreter, please advise when booking your appointment. Alternatively, please call (03) 9929 8234 or email interpreters@eyeandear.org.au at least two weeks before your appointment to organise. When an interpreter is required without early notice, CDEs can often access the hospital’s telephone interpreter service straightaway.
