5 years ago
FLASH MONITOR EIGHT MONTHS OVERDUE
CHRIS BOWEN MP
Greg Hunt has made 120,000 diabetes type-1 sufferers wait eight months longer than he promised they would for an affordable choice of glucose monitor.
Today marks eight months since March 1, the date type-1 diabetics in Australia were promised access to the Flash glucose monitor on the National Diabetes Services Scheme by this Government.
Australian diabetics deserve better.
Late last year Minister Hunt confirmed that Flash technology would be available on the National Diabetes Services Scheme 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.”
At this Government’s rate, Christmas will be here before the Flash monitor is on the NDSS.
Without NDSS subsidy, many diabetics cannot afford this monitor which gives diabetics a choice on how they read and monitor their glucose.
Today marks eight months since March 1, the date type-1 diabetics in Australia were promised access to the Flash glucose monitor on the National Diabetes Services Scheme by this Government.
Australian diabetics deserve better.
Late last year Minister Hunt confirmed that Flash technology would be available on the National Diabetes Services Scheme 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.”
At this Government’s rate, Christmas will be here before the Flash monitor is on the NDSS.
Without NDSS subsidy, many diabetics cannot afford this monitor which gives diabetics a choice on how they read and monitor their glucose.
It is now November and Mr Hunt has not explained to the 120,000 type-1 diabetics why Flash still hasn’t been listed.
In September the Minister claimed to the Parliament he made no such promise.
This was after he was called out in Parliament when a petition with 214,000 signatures requesting the Minister list the Flash glucose monitor on the NDSS was presented.
This Minister is loose with the truth when it comes to making health care affordable.
Minister Hunt needs to stop delaying and list Flash glucose monitoring on the National Diabetes Services Scheme.