29-03-2024, 11:18 AM
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/health/other/t...6b96&ei=11
"A public health professor has slammed the Government's change of rules for disability funding last week.
It comes after Whaikaha the Ministry of Disabled People published new rules on disability spending on its website last Monday, without consulting the community.
Following the announcement, the community urged Disability Issues Minister Penny Simmonds to rethink her "thoughtless and reckless" changes.
According to an AUT academic, one of the rule changes would block carers and patients from buying CGMs (continuous glucose monitors) using their disability allowance.
Public health researcher Dr Catherine Crofts said the Ministry's move is "incredibly short-sighted".
"CGMs are not consumer electronics… [but are] life-saving medical devices which enhance quality of care. And there is no other system that reduces parental or carer stress like CGMs."
The technology monitors blood glucose levels continuously throughout the day and can send alerts to diabetics through a phone app.
Dr Crofts said the move by Whaikaha "threatens the lives of children" living with type 1 diabetes, but also "threatens the health of their parents".
Extremely low blood sugar can lead to seizures, brain damage, or death within hours - known as Dead in Bed syndrome, Dr Crofts added.
Before CGMs became available, diabetics (or their caregivers) had to prick their finger and draw blood to check blood glucose 24/7.
Most people are younger than 15 when diagnosed, according to Dr Crofts, so their carers often have to manage their children's glucose levels - especially at night - meaning they're often sleep-deprived.
"CGMs are vital health monitoring devices for any person with type 1 diabetes but especially children," said Dr Crofts.
CGMs cost between $2500 and $5000 per patient."
"A public health professor has slammed the Government's change of rules for disability funding last week.
It comes after Whaikaha the Ministry of Disabled People published new rules on disability spending on its website last Monday, without consulting the community.
Following the announcement, the community urged Disability Issues Minister Penny Simmonds to rethink her "thoughtless and reckless" changes.
According to an AUT academic, one of the rule changes would block carers and patients from buying CGMs (continuous glucose monitors) using their disability allowance.
Public health researcher Dr Catherine Crofts said the Ministry's move is "incredibly short-sighted".
"CGMs are not consumer electronics… [but are] life-saving medical devices which enhance quality of care. And there is no other system that reduces parental or carer stress like CGMs."
The technology monitors blood glucose levels continuously throughout the day and can send alerts to diabetics through a phone app.
Dr Crofts said the move by Whaikaha "threatens the lives of children" living with type 1 diabetes, but also "threatens the health of their parents".
Extremely low blood sugar can lead to seizures, brain damage, or death within hours - known as Dead in Bed syndrome, Dr Crofts added.
Before CGMs became available, diabetics (or their caregivers) had to prick their finger and draw blood to check blood glucose 24/7.
Most people are younger than 15 when diagnosed, according to Dr Crofts, so their carers often have to manage their children's glucose levels - especially at night - meaning they're often sleep-deprived.
"CGMs are vital health monitoring devices for any person with type 1 diabetes but especially children," said Dr Crofts.
CGMs cost between $2500 and $5000 per patient."
in order to be old & wise, you must first be young & stupid. (I'm still working on that.)