Building a Sustainable Health System
The Diabetes Connecting Care Clinic (DCCC) at Caulfield Hospital offers more than holistic integrated care for people living with complex type 2 diabetes. It’s also a training opportunity for regional GPs, who can then take that knowledge back to their local area.
Building a Sustainable Health System.
Following the Beacon model, the clinic develops individualised care plans in collaboration with the Caulfield Community Health Service team.
This includes input from dietetics, exercise physiology, pharmacy and the diabetes nurse educator.
Professor Anthony Russell said the clinic – which opened in June 2023 - was a ‘one stop shop’ for people with diabetes.
“It’s about allowing them to experience a holistic personalised health care journey to help get their diabetes on track,” Prof Russell said.
“We aim to improve people’s self-management and support their ongoing care in the community.”
Patients are seen in the clinic by GPs, who have received specialised training from our service. These GPs can then take what they learnt back to their practice, spreading the improvement of diabetes management in the community.
The Diabetes Connecting Care Clinic was the overall winner at the Health Roundtable 2024 Innovation Showcase, with Dr Russell also voted the winner of the Quality and Safety category.
Bendigo GP Dr Mario Fernando is among the GPs working in the Diabetes Connecting Care Clinic.
“The benefits I gain from the clinic are having the advantage of discussing each patient with Professor Russell when we see them, improving my existing knowledge, and learning new things in managing diabetes,” Dr Fernando said.
“I wish to, one day, have a Diabetes Clinic in Bendigo, with the same model, helping the General Practitioners to manage patients with diabetes."