Bairnsdale Diabetes Support Group: April Meeting Highlights
Key Takeaway: Pharmacist Tom Forster from Complete Care Pharmacy shared vital insights on glucose monitoring, vaccinations, and heart health at the group's April gathering.
Glucose Monitoring: Three Key Methods
Forster outlined the primary approaches to managing blood glucose levels, each with distinct advantages:
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM):
These devices provide real-time readings 24 hours a day, showing both trends and the rate of change. A critical feature is their ability to alert users when levels fall outside target ranges or when a hypo is predicted.
Finger Prick Blood Glucose Testing:
This method offers a single-point glucose reading. Forster emphasized the importance of correctly using meters, strips, and lancets. Results can be recorded digitally or in traditional logbooks.
HbA1c Testing:
A pathology blood test that reflects average glucose levels over the previous 10 to 12 weeks. Typically conducted every three to six months, it serves as a key indicator of long-term diabetes management.
Vaccination Guidance
Following a question on flu immunization, Forster detailed vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Programme for those with medical risk conditions. These include:
- Pneumococcal
- Meningococcal B
- Influenza
- Haemophilus influenza type b
- Shingles
- COVID-19
He also noted that RSV vaccination is recommended and funded for people aged 75 and over, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over, providing protection for at least two years.
Heart Health Focus
Forster demonstrated a heart rate monitor and highlighted National Heart Week (May 4-10, 2026), which aims to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease.
Stark Statistic: One Australian experiences a heart attack or stroke every four minutes.
He emphasized the importance of monitoring key risk factors—blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose. A key focus was the Heart Health Check, a 20-minute GP consultation that assesses a person's five-year risk of heart attack or stroke.
Forster also demonstrated correct blood pressure measurement technique, noting that a normal result is generally below 120/80 mmHg.
Closing Remarks
Group member Jill Mathieson thanked Forster for his presentation and presented him with a gift on behalf of the group.