Women in Wyndham are being given a new way to self-manage diabetes during pregnancy in an effort to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare strain.
The Wyndham Health Foundation (WHF) has given $85,000 to Werribee Mercy Hospital in support of the Net-HealthData: Diabetes Management program – a digital tool community members can easily access.
With 22 per cent of pregnancies at Werribee Mercy Hospital complicated by diabetes, Mercy Health endocrinologist Dr Melissa Lee said the app is a game-changer for patients like Shitalben, who experienced gestational diabetes during two previous pregnancies.
The young mum was required to attend fortnightly appointments, which she said “was a stressful and time-consuming process“.
“Now, with the app, I only come in when needed. My glucose levels are tracked at home, and the nurses can monitor my progress online.”
The app supports blood glucose monitoring from home and integrates directly with the CHOconnect platform used by the WMH Diabetes Clinic.
Demographic data highlights the app’s importance in supporting the region’s diverse community, with translations into 19 languages and a user base where 50 per cent are of Indian descent.
WHF chair Darren Reynolds said the funding was an example of philanthropy giving patients autonomy.
“This is a perfect example of how strategic philanthropic support can enable innovative, patient-centred care,” he said.
The grant will fund the program for 12 months, from January to December 2025, allowing continued support for hundreds of women across Wyndham.
The Net-HealthData system is currently in use across 15 hospitals nationally, with ongoing research evaluating its cost-effectiveness and clinical benefit: www.info.net- health.com.au/monitoring-during-pregnancy
Jaidyn Kennedy
