Mapping out next step in campaign against diabetes
More than 200 Western Sydney doctors, nurses, community leaders, academics and politicians came together at Workers Blacktown on July 24 to plan the next step in the campaign by Western Sydney Diabetes to “beat diabetes together”.
Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD), pioneered by Professors Stephen Leeder and Stephen Colagiuri, and Walter Kmet, and led by Professor Glen Maberly since it was established, celebrated its 10th anniversary this month.
WSD was established in response to the growing threat diabetes poses to our community’s health and wellbeing in 2014.
It is a collaborative initiative led by the Western Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney Primary Health Network, in partnership with Diabetes Australia and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
The ABC’s Dr Norman Swan and Blacktown community leader Dr Jim Taggart facilitated five panels to build on the achievements of type 2 diabetes awareness, prevention, detection and management in Western Sydney.
PANELS AND PANELLISTS
The Pioneers of Western Sydney Diabetes
- Prof Stephen Leeder, Emeritus Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney; Prof Stephen Colagiuri, Professor of Metabolic Health Medicine, The Boden Initiative, University of Sydney; Conjoint Associate Professor Walter Kmet, CEO MQ Health.
Primary Prevention Champions
- Janine Dawson, Specialist Sporting Bodies & Stakeholder Relations, Workers Lifestyle Group; Doug Thompson, Principal Policy Officer; Prof. Thomas Astell-Burt, Professor of Cities and Planetary Health, University of Sydney; Matthew O’Connor, Manager Recreation Planning and Design, Blacktown City Council; and Simon Cowie, General Manager, NSW, Heart Foundation.
General Practitioner Champions
- Dr Shanthini Seelan, Dr Kean-Seng Lim, Dr Prashanta Mallick.
Government Perspectives
- Hon. Stephen Bali, Blacktown; Hon. Hugh McDermott, Prospect; Hon. Dr Mike Freelander, Macarthur; The Hills Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi; and Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake.
The Future of Western Sydney Diabetes
- Jasmin Ellis, General Manager, Integrated and Community Health, Co-Chair Executive Management Team, Western Sydney Diabetes, Western Sydney Local Health District; Andrew Newton, CEO, Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN) – Co-Chairs Executive Management Team, Western Sydney Diabetes, (WSLHD); Conjoint Professor Diana O’Halloran AO, Chair, WentWest (WSPHN); Prof Glen Maberly, Director, Western Sydney Diabetes; Rowan Clifford, Group Executive Health Service Operations, Diabetes Australia; Cem Ozenc, Corporate Vice President and General Manager at Novo Nordisk Oceania; and Morgan Stewart, CEO, Workers Lifestyle Group.
Prof Maberly said the milestone event was a significant opportunity to reflect on WSD’s achievements, acknowledge key contributors, and set a strategic direction for the future.
He said the five panels were designed to feature key facts about Type 2 Diabetes to educate attendees and stimulate meaningful discussions.
“The WSD 10-year celebration has been a defining event in our journey, showcasing our achievements and setting a strong foundation for future success,” Prof Maberly said.
“As we move forward, our focus will remain on enhancing diabetes care, advocating for patient needs, and fostering a collaborative community dedicated to combating diabetes.
“Building on the momentum from the celebration, we will continue to engage with stakeholders, leveraging their support for ongoing and new initiatives.
“WSD will continue to innovate and contribute to diabetes research, striving to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.”
Booths were hosted by several of WSD’s Alliance partners, including:
- Western Sydney Diabetes
- WentWest
- Diabetes Australia
- 2kg Challenge
- Healthy Living Toongabbie
- Filipino Australian Diabetes Support Network
- myINTERACT
- PANDA Trial
- No Money No Time – University of Newcastle
- Get Healthy – NSW Health
- Box Divvy
- Good Tucker App
- Heart Foundation Walking
- Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
- Greater Sydney Parklands
- Health2Sync
- Healthily – GoShare Healthcare
Jasmin Ellis, General Manager, Integrated and Community Health, Co-Chair Executive Management Team, WSD said the night was great acknowledgement of the hard work of Western Sydney Diabetes and the alliances in ensuring that “we beat diabetes together”.
“The highlights of Western Sydney Diabetes is definitely the strength in partnerships and ensuring that we have a strong alliance and to make sure that Western Sydney Diabetes is acknowledged by communities, industry, non-government organisations, the Primary Health Network, as well as the district to ensure that we can work through this problem together,” Ms Ellis said.
Morgan Stewart, CEO of Workers Lifestyle Group said Workers Blacktown was proud to host the celebration.
“The success of Western Sydney Diabetes has been in its work in primary prevention by harnessing public and private voices and resources,” Mr Stewart said.
“We are in year two of a five year commitment of $100,00 a year to best the scourge of diabetes and we have been collaborating with Western Sydney Diabetes, WentWest and Novo Nordisk during that time to good effect.
“A tangible result has been the 2kg Challenge, a campaign to improve the health and well-being of the Western Sydney community, which was rolled out to 27 local GP practices during diabetes week facilitated by WentWest.
“The campaign asks participants to lose 2kg and keep it off, as this will reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 30%.”
The event also featured the launch of the Western Sydney Diabetes song, with lyrics written by Professor Maberly.
Enjoy the photo gallery below.
