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National Chronic Disease Network Conference 2013

17th Annual Chronic Diseases Network Conference

Self Management: A Partnership Approach

September 9 – 10, 2013

Darwin Convention Centre

www.cdnconference.com.au

 


Changes to Driving Fitness Guidelines welcomed

Healthy Living NT welcomes changes to the national Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines. The changes, released last week, have removed ambiguous wording relating to the definition of satisfactory diabetes control when Medical Officers are assessing the fitness of people with diabetes to drive a motor vehicle.

Under previous guidelines released in 2012, Medical officers were advised that “When assessing whether the criteria for a conditional licence are met, ‘satisfactory control’ of diabetes will generally be defined as a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level of less than 9.0% measured within the preceding three months….”. There appeared to be increasing evidence that some health professionals were interpreting this advice as imposing an absolute requirement. As a consequence, some people with diabetes were losing the right to obtain a driving licence, even though they had no complications of diabetes that would make them unsafe to drive.

This has now been changed to a recommendation that a person with diabetes who has an HbA1c of 9% or more should usually be referred for a formal consultation and assessment by a specialist or clinician experienced in the management of diabetes, in order to assess fitness to drive.

Healthy Living NT’s Education Service Manager, Chrissie Inglis, hailed this change “as a victory for common sense” adding that “the Diabetes Association of the NT (which trades as Healthy Living NT) was among many consumer organisations around Australia which expressed concern at the implications of the 2012 guidelines”. Chrissie added “whilst most Medical Officers in the NT and the NT MVR had interpreted the 2012 guidelines sensibly, this was not necessarily the case in other parts of Australia; whilst the ambiguous wording remained, there always the potential for people with diabetes to unjustly lose their privilege to drive”.

“The new wording removes this ambiguity and clarifies that a particular HbA1c reading is not an appropriate single indicator on which to judge a person with diabetes’ fitness to drive. Many other factors such as the level of overall diabetes control and the absence of significant diabetes complications need also to be considered. Certainly a person with a high HbA1c result needs a review of their clinical management, but we all know that one high HbA1c result does not indicate whether a person has the ability to safely drive a car or not.”

For further information, please contact Chrissie Inglis, Manager Education Services on 89 278 488 or email manager@healthylivingnt.org.au

 

21 March 2013

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Sponsored Board participation for younger people with/interested in diabetes

Background

The Diabetes Association of the NT Inc., trading as Healthy Living NT (HLNT), is a charitable, independent, member based organisation for people with diabetes and related conditions. As a consumer based organisation, HLNT is managed by a voluntary board, committed to the well-being of all people with diabetes.

The Board of HLNT is keen to encourage younger people to join them, to speak about the issues facing them and be a voice on the Board for other young people affected by diabetes. We understand that the hectic lifestyle of younger people – busy jobs, lives or young families - means that it is often not possible to take on the time demands of also being on a Board; but we also realise that you are the future of our Association.

Download More information

 

 


 

 

Letter and application information to Health Service Providers regarding the Bill Raby Diabetes Fellowship


 

The Diabetes Association of the NT Inc. trading as Healthy Living NT

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

10:30 am Saturday 3 November 2012

Venue: 2 Tiwi Place, Tiwi, Darwin

by teleconference to1/9 Parsons St, Alice Springs

Business to be transacted:

  • Acceptance of Financial Statements and Reports
  • Election of Board Members

For further information phone 8927 8488

Like to serve on the Board of the Association??

Any member wishing to serve on the Board of the Association, should contact the CEO, Anne Kemp on 8927 8488 or email ceo@healthylivingnt.org.au for more information or a nomination form

To view the Healthy Living NT 2011/12 Audited Financial Statement click here


Walk To Work DayWalk To Work

The annual Walk to Work day will be held on Friday 28 September 2012.  To register your business or find out more information go to www.walk.com.au


 Walk Safely to School Day

Teachers, parents and carers throughout Australian are reminded that Friday 18 May 2012 is National Walk Safely to School Day.

National Walk Safely to School Day is a health initiative urging all parents and carers to include exercise in their young children’s daily routines. www.walk.com.au

 


Last Updated 5 April 2013 Print friendly page


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