Under the 2011-16 National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and Diabetes Australia, Diabetes Australia has established the National Development Programs to undertake activities to maintain and improve Scheme services. Previously development activities were undertaken through the NDSS Strategic Development Grant Program which has now closed.
The aim of the National Development Programs is to explore opportunities for the development of NDSS Registrant Support Services to address areas of need.
Priority areas for the National Development Programs are:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
- psychosocial and mental health impacts of living with and managing diabetes for all Registrants;
- young people with diabetes;
- people with diabetes from culturally and linguistically diverse communities;
- older people with diabetes with a particular focus on potential for improved access for aged care facilities;
- diabetes in pregnancy; and
- E-health and coordinated care.
The National Development Programs Manual outlines and provides guidance on the development and implementation of National Development Programs. It covers the processes from initial identification and planning of activities through to evaluation and national roll out.
The development of these programs has been informed by a strategic planning process that has included considering the outcomes of the 2001-11 Strategic Development Grants projects and seeking to identify gaps and possible future directions in the programs, for activity within the National Development Programs for years 2012-16 of the NDSS Agreement.
Detailed plans are currently being developed for each of the priority areas.