Latest updates

Sign up to The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Newsletter for regular updates about what is happening at the RCH diabetes clinic or any diabetes updates. 

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Latest newsletter: 

September 2024 

RCH Diabetes Newsletter 10

Topics include: 

• RCH Diabetes Website 
• My RCH Portal 
• Insulin pump funding update 
• Site rotation 
• Halloween 

July 2026 

Teplizumab (Tzield) approved by Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA)

You may have heard that Teplizumab also known as Tzield, has been approved by the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) for use in Australia. Teplizumab has been found to delay the onset of stage 3 Diabetes (diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes) and is therefore only approved for use in patients with stage 2 diabetes i.e. before insulin is required.

Teplizumab is a very expensive drug and unfortunately, it has not yet been approved by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme so is not available for general use in the public health system in Australia. Due to the cost involved in accessing this drug it is currently only available through a limited number of research projects. For a list of current research projects underway in Australia please see here for details https://atic.svi.edu.au/clinical-trials/ .

If you have a child who has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes you may want to consider getting any siblings screening for stage 1 or 2 diabetes through Type 1 Screen - https://type1screen.org/. This is a free government run program which would identify Stage 1 or Stage 2 diabetes early, which would allow access to clinical trials and newer agents like Teplizumab when they are clinically available. 

For more information about Teplizumab: https://breakthrought1d.org.au/news/tzield-approved-in-australia/

February 2026 

Special events 

With the observance of Ramadan currently underway, we have some information about how to look after your diabetes during this time.

Ramadan

Discontinuation of MiniMed Mio™ Infusion sets 

Medtronic is discontinuing the MiniMed Mio™ Infusion Sets from 1 September 2024, with the introduction of Medtronic Extended™ infusion sets and Extended™ Reservoirs 

You can transition to the Medtronic Extended™ infusion set (info below), which offers longer wear time and reduces insulin waste. Other Medtronic sets remain available MiniMed™ Quickset, MiniMed™ Silhouette, and MiniMed Sure-T™.

Medtronic Extended™ infusion sets and Extended™ Reservoirs found here:

Changing the Medtronic Extended™ Infusion set

Changing the Medtronic Extended™ Reservoir only

• Allow 24-48 hours for their stock to be delivered to the pharmacy
• If your total daily dose is less than 42 units a day, pair Extended™ Infusion sets with Extended™ Reservoir. If your total daily dose is over 42 units per day, pair the Extended Infusion set with Medtronic standard reservoir NDSS 706 ensuring you have enough reservoirs for the month and enabling reservoir change without changing Extended infusion set.
• Turn Off Set Change Reminder ensuring that a full set change is completed every 7 days 

February 2024 

T:SlimX2 Software update 

Tandem T:SlimX2 has a new software update. New features include; 

• Updated feature of pump sounds
• A 'sensor expiring soon' notification on your pump for your continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This will now show at 24 hours remaining instead of 6 hours and also at 2 hours as well as 30 minutes before your sensor session will finish. 
• Exercise timer: set the timer for a particular exercise duration so that you do not need to remember to stop activity when you are no longer needing the exercise activity mode on. 
• Activity transition: you do not need to stop Sleep Activity to turn Exercise Activity on

Tandem CIQ 7.7 Update information

MiniMed making changes to available infusion sets 

The table below outlines the products that are to be discontinued and the suggested alternative infusion set that may be a suitable substitute for transition to.

The main change from the discontinued product to the alternative product is the length of the infusion set tubing. In most cases the needle length remains unchanged which is generally the important user factor. You can order your current set until April 1st 2024 from their local pharmacy. 

January 2024 

Promising research regarding type 1 diabetes

There have been several announcements in the mainstream media over recent months about research regarding type 1 diabetes.  Whilst any positive news is exciting, it is important to note that there are many steps that need to occur between an initial idea proving positive at the concept stage to actual changes occurring in the way patients are managed. The process, from initial research, through to animal and then several stages of human clinical trials can take around 10-20 years to complete.

The length of time and mandatory steps required for clinical research is necessary as a concept that works at the cellular level in a petri dish may not actually transfer to safe clinical care for patients. Therefore, when reading any reports of positive research news, it is important to note at which stage of the research project they are at as this will give you some idea of how long it might be until the research results in changes to patient care.

If you have any questions about diabetes research, or studies being undertaken at RCH please ask your Endocrinologists at your next clinic appointment

Are you still using an Abbott Neo meter?    

If you are using FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM and still using an Abbott Neo Meter, you can request a free Libre Reader. It is a touch screen, rechargeable glucose & ketone meter using the same strips as the Neo Meter

To upgrade to the Libre Reader, visit https://www.freestylelibre.com.au/startmysensor

December 2023 

Research update: Baricitinib drug shows promise for suppressing type 1 diabetes progression in people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes

You may have seen details in the news recently about some promising results from a study called the BANDIT trial. This world-first Australian clinical trial has shown that a commonly prescribed rheumatoid arthritis drug, baricitinib, can preserve the body’s own insulin production and possibly suppress the progression of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in those newly diagnosed with the condition.

Whilst these results are exciting it is important to note that these are preliminary results from the first year of this trial. As there is further work to be done in this study it is not yet appropriate to change our clinical care until the trial is fully completed and all results appropriately analysed. We will let you know when this happens but is likely to be sometime in late 2024.

If you have further questions about this study, or other studies being undertaken at RCH please ask your Endocrinologists at your next clinic appointment.

October 2023

Online training for family and friends: 

Do you sometimes wish your family members and friends knew a little more about diabetes so they could feel confident providing care and support? Diabetes Australia have developed an online learning module aimed specifically at family, friends, babysitters, and nannies who might be responsible for looking after a child with type 1 diabetes. This online module takes an hour to complete and covers topics such as:

• Understanding diabetes
• Monitoring glucose levels
• Insulin delivery devices
• Diabetes Highs
• Diabetes Lows
• Eating to manage diabetes
• Being active
• Being supportive

You can access this online module here Education & events - Diabetes programs - Diabetes Australia and look for the training titled ‘Looking after a child with diabetes’.

MiniMed travel loan insulin pump program: 

The Medtronic Travel Loan Program provides you with a spare pump to carry with you while you are away on holiday overseas or in remote locations where you are unable to receive a replacement pump should your pump fail.

Contact: australia.diabetes@medtronic.com. Medtronic cannot guarantee the availability of a specific model of the loan pump provided.

Medtronic ask to submit your application two weeks prior to the travel date but with the holidays approaching earlier than this to avoid delays.  

Fiasp insulin to remain on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

On 18 September, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Hon Mark Butler MP, announced that Fiasp insulin will continue to be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 October 2023 for people living with diabetes.

More information can be found here; Fiasp penfill lisiting on the PBS

JDRF new book release

JDRF have released a new guide on wellbeing for parents and carers, titled "If you're Okay, They're Okay".

This is a free download providing advice on: 

• Support to help parents raise their children with confidence
• Age-appropriate expectations for children living with T1D
• Tips for dealing with the family’s emotional challenges
• Practical advice on common issues 
  

JDRF Parent Wellbeing Guide 

September 2023

Essential medical equipment on off annual payment 

Did you know that Services Australia (Centrelink) offer an annual payment of $189 dollars to eligible individuals to assist with the electricity cost associated with essential medical equipment. If you are using an insulin pump this may include you. More information about this payment and who is eligible can be found here:  Essential Medical Equipment Payment - Services Australia or speak to your local Centrelink office staff.

Please note approval for this payment can be provided by your GP.

RCH Diabetes Newsletters

September 2024 

RCH Diabetes Newsletter 10

Topics include: 

• RCH Diabetes Website 
• My RCH Portal 
• Insulin pump funding update 
• Site rotation 
• Halloween 

April 2024

RCH Diabetes Newsletter 9

Topics include: 

• BANDIT trial update 
• My RCH Portal 
• Travelling
• Making the most of your Continuous Glucose Monitor
• Preparing to transition into adult diabetes care 
• Supportive resources for children and teenagers with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes  

December 2023 

RCH Diabetes Newsletter 8

Topics include: 

• JDRF video link - flying with type 1 diabetes 
• Getting ready for the new school year 
• Revised clinic glucose targets
• Diabetes distress 
• Options for funding an insulin pump  

Earlier newsletters

COVID-19 and diabetes

Check into this page for information related to diabetes and COVID-19.

COVID-19 updates

Older updates

Read through all previous diabetes updates in the yearly pages below.

2023 updates 2022 updates 2021 updates 2020 updates 2017 updates