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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March 2024
There are some special occasions on at the moment and coming up, check our special occasions page to help with planning and looking after your diabetes on these 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
Medtronic 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.
November 2023
School Action and Management Plans (Plan) for 2024
All children/students with type 1 diabetes attending early childhood settings, primary or secondary schools in Victoria need to have a current Diabetes Action and Management plan in place to ensure that their diabetes care needs are met. These management have been developed by Diabetes Victoria, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and Monash Children’s Hospital, are based on current best practice paediatric guidelines and are reviewed yearly.
See our school page to organise your child's 2024 Diabetes School Action and Management Plan
Medtronic 640G users:
Medtronic have advised that they will discontinue their 640G pump from 31st December 2023. This means that from 1st January 2024, they will be unable to replace any MiniMed 640G with a new MiniMed 640G. People using a Medtronic 640G insulin pump will instead be provided with a MiniMed 780G insulin pump in manual mode, together with appropriate training to cover their remaining warranty period.
Medtronic will continue to offer people supplies and technical support for the pump they are currently using.
For more information, please contact Medtronic Customer Service: 1800 668 670
For Dexcom G6 Users:
Dexcom is aware that the G6 app has stopped sharing data with followers immediately after the G6 iOS 1.11.0 app update. This issue only affects the G6 iOS app version 1.11.0. The G6 app user will not experience any issues, however the followers will see “no data” displayed in the follow app and dashes in the follow iOS widget.
To resolve the Follow app issue, please follow the steps below to resume data sharing:
- Open G6 iOS USER app
- Tap on Share in the upper left corner
- Tap the Share toggle to turn if OFF
- Tap the Share toggle to turn it back ON
- Check with the Follower to make sure data is displaying
- Wait up to 10-15 minutes for data to resume
If you continue to experience issues in the follow app after performing the steps above, please let us know by contacting us on 1300 851 056 or emailing diabetes.techsupport@amsl.com.au.
Please contact AMSL Dexcom G6 team to notify them that you have experienced this issue. They are asking for the following details:
- Dexcom G6 Username = *(open the Dexcom app, tap on settings > account, scroll down to login info)
- Dexcom G6 transmitter SN =*(open the Dexcom app, tap on settings > transmitter)
- Dexcom G6 app Revision =*(open the Dexcom app, tap on settings > about)
- Dexcom G6 user’s phone model =*(go to settings> general > about)
- Dexcom G6 user’s phone iOS Version = *(go to settings> general > about)
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’.
Medtronic 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.
Common Questions about the Medtronic Travel Loan Program:
Q: Can I open the pump package up and input the device settings even if I don’t end up needing to use it?
A: Yes you may – safety first!
Q: How long do I have to return the pump after I return form my time away?
A: 14 days
Q: How long may I travel with the loan travel pump?
A: Up to 90 Days
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.
August 2023
Medtronic mobile app update required
Medtronic have informed us that an update is required to CareLink™ Connect app
This is copied from a recent Medtronic notification
We want to provide an update about the outage. We have installed additional servers to address the CareLink Connect app outage that resulted from increased usage and data sharing, and we want to inform you that there’s a new version of the app available for your patients to download on their compatible device. We recommend that they update to this new version as quickly as possible, as it contains some important updates to improve the experience. We have let your patients know this key information also.
You may be required to log in again on your CareLink account after this update. If you require support with the update or have subsequent upload problems, please contact Medtronic helpline on 1800 777 808
April 2023
Get Active Victoria is a Victorian Government initiative to support eligible families receive up to $200 to cover the cost of registration fees for organised sport/active recreation.
To be eligible for a voucher your child/dependent must be:
- under 18 years of age
- be a Victorian resident
- have a valid Health Care Card/Pensioner Concession Card
- have a valid Medicare card
For more information go to Get Active Victoria
RCH Diabetes Newsletters
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
August 2023
RCH Diabetes Newsletter 7
Topics include:
- Ypso insulin pumps coming to RCH diabetes clinic
- Information on insulin for Life Australia - donating insulin and diabetes supplies
- Research opportunities
- Exercise and diabetes
- Get Active Victoria initiative
- Diabetes Victoria Camps
- Diabetes Team updates
March 2023
RCH Diabetes Newsletter 6
Topics include:
- Special occasions: Ramadan, Passover and Easter
- Research updates
- Managing sick days with diabetes
- Driving and Diabetes: Above 5 to Drive
- Planning for an insulin pump upgrade
- Diabetes Allied Health Team changes
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