Australia...
We're here for you!
We're just a (video) call away.
Every person living with type 1 diabetes deserves every opportunity to live the life they want to live, in spite of this challenging disease.
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There is almost nothing that someone with type 1 diabetes cannot achieve, from ultra-marathons to high-flying executive careers and anything in between. But navigating the world's most complex self-managed disease isn't easy, and no one should have to do it alone. You need type 1 ninjas on your team, a super squad to help you achieve your dreams.
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Since 2015 that's exactly what the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre has been doing for West Australians. Built just for people with type 1 diabetes, by people with type 1.
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But we don't want to stop at the border! We believe that all Aussies should have access to our dream team, wherever you are across Australia.
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And while we can't physically be in every town all the time, we've proven time and time again that type 1 support is the perfect candidate for telehealth, beamed straight into the comfort of your home or office. If we can set up an insulin pump via video call in remote Alice Springs (that was an experience!), we can do anything :)
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That's why we are smashing down the barriers of geography and launching our National Virtual Type 1 Clinic, giving people from all corners of our vast country access to our team of type 1 ninjas. Every one of us lives and breathes type 1, it's all we do!
Whatever you need help with, whether that's dietary advice, medication reviews, a pump start, or conquering a new fitness goal - anything that type 1 can throw at you or any goal you want to conquer - we're just a call or video chat away - read on to learn more!
Diabetes Education & Dietetics
Ah food and insulin - the great challenges of type 1 management... When it comes to managing the delicate tightrope of insulin dosing and food, you need a team who gets it in your corner.
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Our Diabetes Education and Dietetics Virtual Clinic is a judgement-free zone, where you can feel empowered and confident about food and health choices. Your type 1 diabetes goals and health priorities guide our approach, as our clinicians support you with the issues that are important to you. You can speak with one of our clinicians about a variety of type 1 diabetes-related issues, including:
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Insulin adjustment strategies, Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) starts,
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Upgrades, and support of CGM and flash monitor systems, getting the best out of your tech
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Carbohydrate counting, exploring lower-carbohydrate approaches, and other dietary advice,
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Impact of the glycaemic index, protein, and fat on blood glucose (and help to nail those tricky foods - pizza anyone?),
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Managing post-meal hyperglycaemia (I thought we mentioned pizza already!),
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Nutrition for sport and exercise, and
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Diabetes-related eating disorders or weight management.
Appointments are available from the comfort of your own home or office via phone or video call, which can be booked by calling 08 9446 6446 weekdays, 8am to 4:30pm WST or you can request a callback.
Medication Reviews
Our Medication Review service allows you to speak with an experienced registered pharmacist to review current medications and understand your medication regime better. Do you know why you take what you take? How it interacts with your other medications? What other options might be out there? Concerned your medications aren't quite the right fit?
A Medication Review virtual appointment will aid you to demystify your medications, and provide practical medication advice. Ask any burning questions or concerns you may have, regarding the medications you have been prescribed. Learn if you have the most cost-effective medication options, and identify any drug or food interactions you might need to be aware of.
You can also request supplement reviews, helping you determine if you really need those expensive supplements while highlighting any potential supplement-drug interactions.
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Medication Reviews are available for telehealth or digital appointments, which can be booked online using our digital booking system - click here.
Psychology
Living with type 1 diabetes can be tough. It's a condition with no off-switch, no pause button. And it's even tougher because most people you meet won't understand it. There's only so many times someone can tell you to cut back on the sugar or take a walk around the block before you scream!
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Mental Health is just as important as physical well-being when living with type 1 diabetes. There's no point having brilliant blood glucose control and living in misery. That's why we offer a telehealth mental health service with our Provisional Psychologist, who is experienced in type 1 diabetes and the challenges it throws at you. You won't have to explain what type 1 is, why its hard or that you didn't eat too much sugar as a child!
Using a friendly and empathetic approach, we can help you to maintain your mental and emotional health while living with type 1. Our Psychologist will take the time to listen to, to understand your challenges and help you navigate life with a complex chronic disease. Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy we can aid you to reshape your thinking and learn how to scrutinise the self-talk that is so often associated with type 1.
Our mental health service is here to help you understand your thoughts, emotions, and strengths so that you can reach your own unique potential. We're here to lessen the burden of type 1, to make it a bit smaller in your life. Appointments are available for telehealth or digital appointments, which can be booked by calling 08 9446 6446 weekdays, 8am to 4:30pm WST or you can request a callback.
Who Are We?
Hello! We're the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre, and since 2015 we have supported countless Australians with type 1 diabetes to live the life they choose. ​We grew from a community of people and families living with type 1 diabetes who wanted a place and a space just for them. A place that understood what it's really like to live with type 1.
Our world-renowned approach has proven countless times that people with type 1 can live a fulfilling life, full of joy and happiness. ​ Understanding that type 1 is unlike any other form of diabetes, our team offer type 1 specific information, education, connection, clinical care, and wrap-around social support. Most of all, we get it. We get it because we live with it.
We've grown a thriving community in Australia, supporting people to face the challenges of type 1 diabetes with confidence. And we bring together a team of clinicians alongside people and families who live with type 1 every day to give you customised, type 1 specific, personalised and friendly support.
Join us, meet our team, access our programs, join in the conversation and know that no one has to face this condition alone. We're in this together!
Meet Our Team
Our people are what makes the Family Centre so special. We get type 1 diabetes. We live type 1, study type 1 and focus on type 1 (sometimes even dream type 1) - meaning when you make an appointment with one of our clinicians, you are meeting someone who understands the unique challenges that type 1 can throw at you. From education to psychology - and everything in between - you'll never have to explain type 1 (or why it is different to type 2) to our team, so your appointment time can be utilised to work on your specific needs, straight from the get-go! There 'aint no generic "diabetes" advice here. We're in this with you, ready to help you live life to the fullest and shove type 1 back into the passenger seat.
Beck Newton
Accredited Practising Dietitian, Registered Nurse,
Credentialled Diabetes Educator
Beck is so passionate about supporting people with type 1 she became an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Registered Nurse, and Credentialled Diabetes Educator with post-graduate qualifications in mental health, disordered eating and health coaching! When she's not cycling the country or enjoying South-West WA's vineyards she's just the person you might need in your corner.
Amy Rush
Accredited Practising Dietitian,
Credentialled Diabetes Educator
Amy is so well known - both home and overseas - for her dedication and passion to type 1, that we think its amazing how modest and approachable she is! Amy developed a special interest in type 1 diabetes when her brother was diagnosed at a young age. She has gone on to become a highly regarded, award-winning Accredited Practising Dietitian and Credentialled Diabetes Educator. She is, quite literally, a type 1 ninja!
Siana Critchett
Registered Nurse,
Registered Midwife,
Credentialled Diabetes Educator
Siana is so passionate about type 1 diabetes that she became Course Coordinator for Curtin University's Diabetes Education program so she could teach the next generation how to support people with type 1. Siana has forgotten more than we'll know about type 1 but most importantly she takes the time to listen and get to know your goals, so she can reach into her bag of tricks with just the right solution for your particular challenge.
Meera Ruparelia
Registered Pharmacist,
Diabetes Educator
Meera is a registered pharmacist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She become a diabetes educator when her husband was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She is particularly passionate about the helping people with type 1 safely manage their diabetes-related medications and genuinely horrified at how little support some people with type 1 get when it comes to medication that works for you.
Natalia Hazell
Provisional Psychologist
Natalia has a background in working with people who are struggling with many complex issues, all at the same time. This is particularly relevant for those of us who are impacted by type 1 diabetes! Using a friendly and strongly empathetic approach, Nat can help you adopt a strengths-based approach to managing the condition. Nat gets it and she's here for you, whatever challenges you are facing on your unique journey with type 1.
What else can I get? - Type 1 support whenever and wherever you need it:
Type 1 Essentials
Online Learning
Type 1 Diabetes Education
The Type 1 Essentials course is everything you need to know about type 1 diabetes to take control of the condition and live the life of your choice. We condensed down everything we wished we knew when we started on our own journeys with type 1. It’s everything you wanted to know about type 1 diabetes but were afraid to ask! This is real support for real life with type 1, whatever it throws at you Learn more.
Cyber Carbs
Carb Counting Support
Type 1 Diabetes Specific
Carbohydrate counting is one of the most important and challenging skills needed to manage type 1 diabetes effectively. It’s the vital link between the food you eat and the insulin doses you need to maintain great blood sugar control. With this course you’ll be a master carbohydrate counter in no time! Learn more.
Carb Conscious Eating
Carb Conscious Cooking
E Book or Physical
Get inspired by an amazing collection of easy-to-make, family-friendly carb-conscious recipes developed by the Family Centre’s dietitian and diabetes educator, Amy Rush! We refuse to let type 1 hold us back from delicious food and we've battle-tested these recipes in our own kitchens to find you the best lower-carbohydrate recipes.
Contact or request a Call Back
We're always happy to help if you have any questions or comments about the Family Centre. Just give us a call during WA business hours or email us.
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Ph: 08 9446 6446