APS – The Peak Body for Regional Australian Paediatric Diabetes Care

The Australian Paediatric Society (APS) is the peak body for regional paediatric diabetes care.

Children in regional Australia have unique needs for the successful management of Type 1 Diabetes and their voice must be heard. The APS also represents many metropolitan paediatric diabetes teams from non-tertiary centres. There are over 14,000 young people under 20 years of age living with Type 1 Diabetes and it is estimated that at least one third are cared for by general paediatricians. The APS is therfore responsible for the diabetes management of over twice the number of children managed by the largest Australian metropolitan specialist child diabetes centres and represents the largest of number of health professionals providing this care. 

The diversity of practice location and resources has led to some innovative solutions to delivery of equitable services to children with diabetes in regional Australia.

More creativity and support, including bipartisan Government listening to the regional Australian voice is required to make a difference to all Australians living with T1D.