Health in the Valley

As a pharmacist and soon to be diabetes educator that lives and works in Morwell, I am passionate about conducting diabetes screening and management for the community.

Diabetes checks should be made available more readily in the community. Regular 3-6 monthly diabetes check is required to get a more accurate picture to help GPs in the community to better manage diabetes.

Pharmacy teams are best placed in the community to allow access to diabetes checks for every individual, with or without diabetes. A simple finger prick blood test can be done easily in the pharmacy for every adult >18 years.

Morwell has a higher ageing population than the Victorian average. Prevalence of diabetes in particular is very high, as shown through NDSS data.

Diabetes screening is important, for prevention and early detection. Diabetes management is equally as important, as diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney damage, amputation and heart attack.

Contrary to the belief that health checks require full blood test, with modern technology it is now available in a convenient finger prick blood test. Our partnership with Advantage Pharmacy head office and Diabetes Victoria will enable us to help people in our community prevent and manage diabetes.