Staff profile - Meet Prof Glen Maberly

Patients and doctors are getting expert advice to manage diabetes through the COVID-19 pandemic, via three-way telehealth consults, thanks to the work of Prof Glen Maberly and the Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) team.

There has been a 14 per cent drop in attendance to general practices in Western Sydney since the introduction of COVID-19 related lockdown measures in NSW, as well as a six per cent drop in the proportion of emergency department patients testing positive for diabetes. 

These findings were identified in research led by Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Research, Monitoring and Surveillance Coordinator Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz.

Professor Glen Maberly said the findings raised worrying questions about the provision of ongoing diabetes care and prompted WSLHD to act.

“Nearly half the population of Western Sydney is either affected by, or at risk of, developing type 2 diabetes and this is a disease that needs early detection and proper management,” Prof Maberly said.

“If left unmanaged it ​can lead to serious complications including heart attack, vision problems and kidney damage.

“Our challenge throughout this pandemic is to ensure patients still have access to the information and support they need to safely manage their condition.”

To address the issue, WSD hosted a ‘Covid-19 and Diabetes’ live forum in conjunction with WentWest in May, with 150 attendees including 50 local GPs.

The live forum included presentations and discussions about the changing face of general practice and pivot to telehealth.

Colebee resident Joel Casipit, is among those who have used telehealth since the pandemic began.

Joel was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes nine years ago and connected with diabetes educators at Blacktown Hospital last year.

“Telehealth saves me a lot of time. There’s no travelling and waiting, I can just see my GP at the allocated time and email my diabetes educator whenever I have questions,” Joel said.

I will still need face-to-face consults for certain issues but this is a better option for regular help with managing my diabetes.”

To find out more about this and other initiatives, visit Western Sydney Diabetes​.