5 years ago
FLASH MONITOR SEVEN MONTHS OVERDUE
CHRIS BOWEN MP
Today marks seven months since the date Australia’s type-1 diabetics were promised they would have access to the Flash glucose monitor on the National Diabetes Services Scheme by Minister Hunt.
In a press conference in November 2018, Minister Hunt confirmed that Flash technology would be available on the National Diabetes Services Scheme on 1 March, 2019, stating:
“as of the first of March 2019 the continuous glucose monitoring program will be expanded both in terms of the range of people but also in terms of the options for devices. The Flash glucose monitoring will now also be included alongside the Continuous Glucose Monitoring.”
Greg Hunt has made 120,000 diabetes type-1 sufferers wait seven months longer than he promised they would.
The monitor gives diabetics a choice on how they read and monitor their glucose. But without NDSS subsidy, many diabetics cannot afford it.
It is now October and Mr Hunt has not explained to the 120,000 type-1 diabetics why Flash still hasn’t been listed, seven months after he said it would be.
Last month when asked about delivering his promise to list Flash, the Minister tried to re-write history.
CHRIS BOWEN, SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH: “You said the first of March.”
GREG HUNT, MINISTER FOR HEALTH: “No – that is not a correct statement. What we committed to was continuous glucose monitoring on the first of March.”
This was after the Parliament was presented with 214,000 signatures requesting the Minister list the Flash glucose monitor on the NDSS as soon as possible.
Australians with diabetes deserve better, and should be allowed to have their choice of affordable monitoring like those in the thirty-three other countries who provide subsidies for Flash.
Minister Hunt needs to stop delaying and list Flash glucose monitoring on the National Diabetes Services Scheme as a matter of critical importance.
In a press conference in November 2018, Minister Hunt confirmed that Flash technology would be available on the National Diabetes Services Scheme on 1 March, 2019, stating:
“as of the first of March 2019 the continuous glucose monitoring program will be expanded both in terms of the range of people but also in terms of the options for devices. The Flash glucose monitoring will now also be included alongside the Continuous Glucose Monitoring.”
Greg Hunt has made 120,000 diabetes type-1 sufferers wait seven months longer than he promised they would.
The monitor gives diabetics a choice on how they read and monitor their glucose. But without NDSS subsidy, many diabetics cannot afford it.
It is now October and Mr Hunt has not explained to the 120,000 type-1 diabetics why Flash still hasn’t been listed, seven months after he said it would be.
Last month when asked about delivering his promise to list Flash, the Minister tried to re-write history.
CHRIS BOWEN, SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH: “You said the first of March.”
GREG HUNT, MINISTER FOR HEALTH: “No – that is not a correct statement. What we committed to was continuous glucose monitoring on the first of March.”
This was after the Parliament was presented with 214,000 signatures requesting the Minister list the Flash glucose monitor on the NDSS as soon as possible.
Australians with diabetes deserve better, and should be allowed to have their choice of affordable monitoring like those in the thirty-three other countries who provide subsidies for Flash.
Minister Hunt needs to stop delaying and list Flash glucose monitoring on the National Diabetes Services Scheme as a matter of critical importance.