Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia with almost 2 million people living with the condition¹. Diabetes is one of the 10 leading causes of death¹. The prevalence of diabetes, rates of hospitalisation, mortality and burden of disease are greatest among First Nations people, those living in lower socioeconomic areas and people living in remote and very remote areas of Australia².

Up to 75% of amputations in people with diabetes are the direct result of diabetes-related foot disease³. Diabetes related foot disease is defined as ulceration, infection, ischaemia or neuroarthropathy of the foot in people with diabetes⁴. Those most at risk are persons with diabetes and who have developed peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease or have a history of previous foot disease⁴.

Diabetes related foot disease and chronic wounds represent a significant burden on the health care system. In recognition of this burden, the Department of Health and Aged Care in the 2023-24 Federal Budget awarded $47.8 million over the next five years to fund new initiatives to improve access to better healthcare. The scheme is anticipated to be operational by 2025.

The Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme (CWCS) consists of a range of measures to improve outcomes for persons with a chronic wound and diabetes access to more affordable wound care. The CWCS aligns with the recommendations of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.

The CWCS will subsidise the cost of wound consumables for eligible people including those over 65 years of age and First Nationals people aged 50 years and over. The provision of subsidised consumables will help to remove the cost barrier to accessing appropriate and evidence-based products and potentially reduce the impact of wounds and prevent further complications including diabetes-related amputations.

If you want to know more about this exciting initiative or would like to take an active role in the CWCS, visit the Wounds Australia website.

References

1. Diabetes Australia. (2024). Diabetes in Australia. Retrieved from https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au.
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Diabetes: Australian facts. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/diabetes/diabetes.  
3. Graham, K., Siatis, C.M., Gunn, K.M. et al. (2023). The experiences of health workers using telehealth services for diabetes-related foot complications: a qualitative exploration. Journal of Foot Ankle Research, 16, 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-023-00645-9
4. Van Netten, J., Lazzarini, P., Fitridge, R., Kinnear, E., Griffiths, I., Malone, M., Perrin, B., Prentice, J., Sethi, S., Wraight, P. (2017). Australian diabetes-related foot disease strategy 2018-2022. The first step towards ending avoidable amputations within a generation. Brisbane: Diabetes Foot Australia, Wound Management Innovation CRC.