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Over the 20 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Western Sydney Local Health District was hit hard.

But with the combined efforts of high vaccine rates, staying at home, effective contact tracing, and other COVID safe practices, we have seen a huge decline in the daily case count.

But what does the future look like?

Western Sydney Diabetes, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network – WentWest, and WSLHD’s Public Health Unit, are holding a forum for our local GPs and health professionals to discuss the changes that are now coming since we opened up on Monday to fully vaccinated people.

Hear from three health experts and join the discussion with a panel of local health experts on changes to the risk assessment matrix; contact tracing moving forward; and how to best manage your patients with diabetes and COVID.

Presenters include:

Dr Cecilia Chi, Endocrinology Staff Specialist, WSD, ICH, WSLHD

Prof Timothy Usherwood, Temporary Medical Advisor, Public Health Unit, Centre for Population Health, WSLHD

Dr Shopna Bag, Director, of Public Health, Centre for Population Health, WSLHD.

 See below  for more information. 

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85027516884

 

 

Diabetes detection at Kimberwalli for NAIDOC Week 2024

Western Sydney Diabetes will be carrying out diabetes detection during NAIDOC Week celebrations on Tuesday, July 9 at Kimberwalli, Whalan.

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood. The body can’t make insulin, enough insulin or is not effectively using the insulin it does make.

Over time high glucose levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, resulting in long term health complications including heart, kidney, eye and foot damage.

NSW Health estimates that diabetes rates in western Sydney are 13 per cent in adults and have been rising for over a decade.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are three times more likely than non-Indigenous Australians to have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a direct or indirect cause for 20% of Aboriginal people’s deaths.

People who are admitted to any hospital in the WSLHD and identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander have an average rate of diagnosed diabetes of nearly 20%, compared to just 14% in non-Aboriginal people.

(Right) WSD's Diabetes Prevention Officer Aruni Ratnayake with WSLHD Aboriginal Chronic Care nurse Shirley Brown, doing a HbA1c test on Lisa Howlett at the NAIDOC Week event at Riverstone 2023.

From 10am to 3pm, WSD and WSLHD staff be doing finger prick tests during NAIDOC (National Aboriginals’ and Islanders’ Day Observance Committee) Week to measure participant’s blood glucose levels (a HbA1c test) and detect pre-diabetes and diabetes.

All participants will be offered lifestyle change resources and those with pre-diabetes and diabetes will be given a letter and encouraged to see their regular General Practitioner (GP).

The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

WSD was established in response to the growing threat diabetes poses to our community’s health and wellbeing.

It is led by Western Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WentWest), Diabetes Australia and Department of Planning and Environment to address the Western Sydney diabetes hotspot.

WSD is encouraging adults to go to their GP and get a HbA1c blood test if they:

  • Have a family history of diabetes;
  • Have an inactive lifestyle;
  • Are overweight or obese;
  • Had diabetes during a pregnancy; or
  • Have a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent, African, Asian, South Asian, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.

Details: 10am-3pm, 1 Mimika Avenue, Whalan, kimberwalli@det.nsw.edu.au