The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has joined with Diabetes Australia to call on the Government to improve screening for diabetes and support the health of patients with or at risk of developing diabetes.
The call comes in National Diabetes Week, after the Federal Government's Inquiry into Diabetes in Australia backed recommendations from the RACGP and Diabetes Australia.
Diabetes Australia's State of the Nation 2024 reports the number of people aged 21–39 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has increased by 44% and the number of people known to be living with diabetes increasing by 32% from 2013–23, making diabetes Australia's fastest-growing chronic disease.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said GPs should be supported to play a greater role in screening for diabetes.
"The government's Inquiry into Diabetes in Australia recommended more effective screening and a greater focus on preventive care, which is what the RACGP has been calling for," she said.
"We know many people living with diabetes remain undiagnosed. Around 90% of the population sees a GP at least once a year, but many patients who have less contact with the health system are at greater risk of developing diabetes.
"Ensuing GP care is affordable and accessible for everyone and that there is more funding for screening will help tackle the diabetes epidemic. This is why we're calling for higher Medicare rebates for longer consultations and MBS rebates for patients to regularly see a GP for preventive care. Like all complex chronic conditions, diabetes requires longer consultations. This also provides time for preventive care that helps people live healthier lives.
"To improve opportunities for early intervention, we recommend patients are screened for diabetes in line with the recommendations in the new edition of our Red Book preventive health guide Catching diabetes as early as possible allows patients to work with their GP to reduce the risk of complications. The gestational diabetes screening criteria should also be updated to match the latest evidence."
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said screening for type 2 diabetes is key for early diagnosis.
"In Diabetes Australia's recent State of the Nation report, we called for MBS rebates to incentivise and support prevention-focused screening in general practice," she said.
"We also called for investment in integrated models of care that support multidisciplinary diabetes care teams, which deliver comprehensive diabetes management for individuals. We want GPs to be able to better support type 2 diabetes prevention and management, and we're advocating to government for that."
Type 2 diabetes is part of 11.8% of GP consultations and affects 5.5% of general practice patients.
Dr Higgins said: "GPs should be better supported to promote healthy diets and other preventive activities and provide team-based care to help patients with diabetes to live healthy lives.
"We know patients with diabetes get the best outcomes when GPs are supported to work in teams with other health professionals, including diabetes educators, endocrinologists, and dieticians."
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