Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has launched the custom-built Medibus, a mobile diabetes clinic designed to enhance access to care for rural communities in the Hunter and New England regions.
The fully equipped facility delivers a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including diabetes educators, endocrinologists, Aboriginal health workers, podiatrists and dietitians, directly to towns with limited healthcare access.
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These teams not only provide direct patient support but also work to upskill local nurses, general practitioners (GPs), and allied health providers in offering diabetes care within the primary care sector.
NSW health minister Ryan Park said: “Diabetes is a significant challenge, particularly in rural and remote areas, and I applaud this initiative, which will reduce travel burdens, improve health outcomes, and support both patients and healthcare professionals.
“This bus is a significant step forward in ensuring all communities have equitable access to expert, evidence-based diabetes care.”
The Medibus access is facilitated through referrals from GPs or healthcare providers.
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By GlobalDataThe mobile clinic initiative is part of the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+), which was formed by the Hunter New England Local Health District and the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network in 2015.
In 2023, the programme received a five-year, A$12.4m ($7.96m) donation from the Colonial Foundation, allowing for expansion and the inclusion of new partners such as the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle.
These partners are set to spearhead research efforts and evaluate the impact of the programme on patient results.
This initiative follows the state government’s announcement of a new urgent care service in Quakers Hill earlier this week.
