Latest updates

Sign up to The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Newsletter for regular updates about what is happening at the RCH diabetes clinic or any diabetes updates. 

Sign up to the RCH diabetes newsletter

Latest newsletter: 

September 2024 

RCH Diabetes Newsletter 10

Topics include: 

• RCH Diabetes Website 
• My RCH Portal 
• Insulin pump funding update 
• Site rotation 
• Halloween 

October 2024

The get active vouchers are active again. They are $200 vouchers for organised sport (swimming lessons, soccer, dancing etc). The eligibility criteria is for those aged under 18 with a Health Care Card. 

Applications are open until until the allocation is exhausted.  

August 2024

Dexcom G7

Dexcom G7 will be available in September 2024 to purchase on the AMSL website. NDSS have not released any details about a subsidy for the Dexcom G7 yet. 

The Dexcom G7 has the same 10 day sensor wear with the cost of $110 per sensor or $330 per month.

The Dexcom G6 continues to be available. 

Medtronic Safety for 600 series pumps and 700 series pumps

It important to follow your pump’s built-in alerts and alarms for battery status when they’re displayed on the pump. Medtronic are reporting "in some instances, pumps that have been dropped, bumped, or experienced physical impact may have damage to internal electrical components, which may cause reduced battery life on the pump. Please note that even a single drop could result in reduced battery life, either immediately after the drop, or over time. The pump will still generate low battery and replace battery alerts and alarms; however, these notifications may display sooner than expected, resulting in the battery needing to be replaced sooner than expected.  No serious injuries have been confirmed to be related to the battery depleting sooner than expected on MiniMedTM 600 and 700 series pumps".

Medtronic users will receive this letter providing further information. 

July 2024

Ypsomed Product Defect Alert

The mylife YpsoPump Orbit micro 2.0 (steel cannula), introduced in 2023, has a different adhesive patch and minor differences in design compared to mylife YpsoPump Orbit micro (steel cannula), in use since June 2016. A  small number of people using the new Orbit micro 2.0 (steel cannula) are experiencing different degrees of skin irritation ranging from mild to severe.

Should you experience any skin irritation associated with the mylife YpsoPump Orbit micro 2.0 (steel cannula) please contact us to arrange a review on 9345 6661 or diabetes@rch.org.au

Discontinuation of Medtronic Mio™ Infusion sets 

Medtronic is discontinuing the MiniMed Mio™ Infusion Sets from 1 September 2024, with the introduction of Medtronic Extended™ infusion sets and Extended™ Reservoirs 

You can transition to the Medtronic Extended™ infusion set (info below), which offers longer wear time and reduces insulin waste. Other Medtronic sets remain available MiniMed™ Quickset, MiniMed™ Silhouette, and MiniMed Sure-T™.

Medtronic Extended™ infusion sets and Extended™ Reservoirs found here:

Changing the Medtronic Extended™ Infusion set

Changing the Medtronic Extended™ Reservoir only

• Allow 24-48 hours for their stock to be delivered to the pharmacy
• If your total daily dose is less than 42 units a day, pair Extended™ Infusion sets with Extended™ Reservoir. If your total daily dose is over 42 units per day, pair the Extended Infusion set with Medtronic standard reservoir NDSS 706 ensuring you have enough reservoirs for the month and enabling reservoir change without changing Extended infusion set.
• Turn Off Set Change Reminder ensuring that a full set change is completed every 7 days 
  

March 2024 

There are some special occasions on at the moment and coming up, check our special occasions page to help with planning and looking after your diabetes on these days! 

February 2024 

T:SlimX2 Software update 

Tandem T:SlimX2 has a new software update. New features include; 

• Updated feature of pump sounds
• A 'sensor expiring soon' notification on your pump for your continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This will now show at 24 hours remaining instead of 6 hours and also at 2 hours as well as 30 minutes before your sensor session will finish. 
• Exercise timer: set the timer for a particular exercise duration so that you do not need to remember to stop activity when you are no longer needing the exercise activity mode on. 
• Activity transition: you do not need to stop Sleep Activity to turn Exercise Activity on

Tandem CIQ 7.7 Update information

Medtronic making changes to available infusion sets 

The table below outlines the products that are to be discontinued and the suggested alternative infusion set that may be a suitable substitute for transition to.

The main change from the discontinued product to the alternative product is the length of the infusion set tubing. In most cases the needle length remains unchanged which is generally the important user factor. You can order your current set until April 1st 2024 from their local pharmacy.

January 2024 

Promising research regarding type 1 diabetes

There have been several announcements in the mainstream media over recent months about research regarding type 1 diabetes.  Whilst any positive news is exciting, it is important to note that there are many steps that need to occur between an initial idea proving positive at the concept stage to actual changes occurring in the way patients are managed. The process, from initial research, through to animal and then several stages of human clinical trials can take around 10-20 years to complete.

The length of time and mandatory steps required for clinical research is necessary as a concept that works at the cellular level in a petri dish may not actually transfer to safe clinical care for patients. Therefore, when reading any reports of positive research news, it is important to note at which stage of the research project they are at as this will give you some idea of how long it might be until the research results in changes to patient care.

If you have any questions about diabetes research, or studies being undertaken at RCH please ask your Endocrinologists at your next clinic appointment

Are you still using an Abbott Neo meter?    

If you are using FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM and still using an Abbott Neo Meter, you can request a free Libre Reader. It is a touch screen, rechargeable glucose & ketone meter using the same strips as the Neo Meter

To upgrade to the Libre Reader, visit https://www.freestylelibre.com.au/startmysensor

December 2023 

Research update: Baricitinib drug shows promise for suppressing type 1 diabetes progression in people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes

You may have seen details in the news recently about some promising results from a study called the BANDIT trial. This world-first Australian clinical trial has shown that a commonly prescribed rheumatoid arthritis drug, baricitinib, can preserve the body’s own insulin production and possibly suppress the progression of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in those newly diagnosed with the condition.

Whilst these results are exciting it is important to note that these are preliminary results from the first year of this trial. As there is further work to be done in this study it is not yet appropriate to change our clinical care until the trial is fully completed and all results appropriately analysed. We will let you know when this happens but is likely to be sometime in late 2024.

If you have further questions about this study, or other studies being undertaken at RCH please ask your Endocrinologists at your next clinic appointment.

October 2023

Online training for family and friends: 

Do you sometimes wish your family members and friends knew a little more about diabetes so they could feel confident providing care and support? Diabetes Australia have developed an online learning module aimed specifically at family, friends, babysitters, and nannies who might be responsible for looking after a child with type 1 diabetes. This online module takes an hour to complete and covers topics such as:

• Understanding diabetes
• Monitoring glucose levels
• Insulin delivery devices
• Diabetes Highs
• Diabetes Lows
• Eating to manage diabetes
• Being active
• Being supportive

You can access this online module here Education & events - Diabetes programs - Diabetes Australia and look for the training titled ‘Looking after a child with diabetes’.

Medtronic travel loan insulin pump program: 

The Medtronic Travel Loan Program provides you with a spare pump to carry with you while you are away on holiday overseas or in remote locations where you are unable to receive a replacement pump should your pump fail.

Contact: australia.diabetes@medtronic.com. Medtronic cannot guarantee the availability of a specific model of the loan pump provided.

Medtronic ask to submit your application two weeks prior to the travel date but with the holidays approaching earlier than this to avoid delays.  

Common Questions about the Medtronic Travel Loan Program:

Q: Can I open the pump package up and input the device settings even if I don’t end up needing to use it?

A: Yes you may – safety first!

Q: How long do I have to return the pump after I return form my time away?

A: 14 days

Q: How long may I travel with the loan travel pump?

A: Up to 90 Days

Fiasp insulin to remain on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

On 18 September, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Hon Mark Butler MP, announced that Fiasp insulin will continue to be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 October 2023 for people living with diabetes.

More information can be found here; Fiasp penfill lisiting on the PBS

JDRF new book release

JDRF have released a new guide on wellbeing for parents and carers, titled "If you're Okay, They're Okay".

This is a free download providing advice on: 

• Support to help parents raise their children with confidence
• Age-appropriate expectations for children living with T1D
• Tips for dealing with the family’s emotional challenges
• Practical advice on common issues 
  

JDRF Parent Wellbeing Guide 

September 2023

Essential medical equipment on off annual payment 

Did you know that Services Australia (Centrelink) offer an annual payment of $189 dollars to eligible individuals to assist with the electricity cost associated with essential medical equipment. If you are using an insulin pump this may include you. More information about this payment and who is eligible can be found here:  Essential Medical Equipment Payment - Services Australia or speak to your local Centrelink office staff.

Please note approval for this payment can be provided by your GP.

August 2023

Medtronic mobile app update required 

Medtronic have informed us that an update is required to CareLink™ Connect app

This is copied from a recent Medtronic notification

We want to provide an update about the outage. We have installed additional servers to address the CareLink Connect app outage that resulted from increased usage and data sharing, and we want to inform you that there’s a new version of the app available for your patients to download on their compatible device. We recommend that they update to this new version as quickly as possible, as it contains some important updates to improve the experience. We have let your patients know this key information also. 

You may be required to log in again on your CareLink account after this update. If you require support with the update or have subsequent upload problems, please contact Medtronic helpline on  1800 777 808

April 2023

Get Active Victoria is a Victorian Government initiative to support eligible families receive up to $200 to cover the cost of registration fees for organised sport/active recreation. 

To be eligible for a voucher your child/dependent must be: 

• under 18 years of age 
• be a Victorian resident 
• have a valid Health Care Card/Pensioner Concession Card 
• have a valid Medicare card 

For more information go to Get Active Victoria 

RCH Diabetes Newsletters

September 2024 

RCH Diabetes Newsletter 10

Topics include: 

• RCH Diabetes Website 
• My RCH Portal 
• Insulin pump funding update 
• Site rotation 
• Halloween 

April 2024

RCH Diabetes Newsletter 9

Topics include: 

• BANDIT trial update 
• My RCH Portal 
• Travelling
• Making the most of your Continuous Glucose Monitor
• Preparing to transition into adult diabetes care 
• Supportive resources for children and teenagers with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes  

December 2023 

RCH Diabetes Newsletter 8

Topics include: 

• JDRF video link - flying with type 1 diabetes 
• Getting ready for the new school year 
• Revised clinic glucose targets
• Diabetes distress 
• Options for funding an insulin pump  

Earlier newsletters

COVID-19 and diabetes

Check into this page for information related to diabetes and COVID-19.

COVID-19 updates

Older updates

Read through all previous diabetes updates in the yearly pages below.

2023 updates 2022 updates 2021 updates 2020 updates 2017 updates