Keep Victoria at the forefront of diabetes research

Here, we unpack priority number five:

5. Keep Victoria at the forefront of diabetes research

• • 5.1 Lift investment for Victoria’s independent diabetes medical research institutes
  • 5.2 Establish a Diabetes Research Fellowships program to support the future of the Victorian diabetes research workforce
  • 5.3 Deliver state-of-the-art enhancements for diabetes care, building on the success of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department diabetes service

Victoria has been leading the country in diabetes research. As global diabetes research activity surges, our state is at risk of losing ground in the race to attract new research investment and trials.

Right now, research development in diabetes technologies and treatments is advancing rapidly.

“Now is the time for the State Government to back Victorian diabetes research,” says Lauren Monaghan, Manager of Policy, Strategy and Research at Diabetes Victoria.

“It will bring investment and talent into the state, create jobs and bring forward life-changing breakthroughs in screening, treatments and care.”

Over the past decade, Diabetes Victoria has invested $20 million in research and will continue to invest. We are calling on the next State Government to lift funding for Victoria’s independent diabetes medical research institutes to be in line with other states and territories.

Currently, the Victorian government lags behind all other states and territories in how it supports these institutes, providing just 17 cents in the dollar compared to New South Wales (55 cents) and Queensland (80 cents).

“Victoria’s diabetes research institutes are world leaders in advancing the understanding of diabetes and developing groundbreaking treatments,” Ms Monaghan says.

“For example, St Vincent’s Institute is leading one of the most exciting areas of research globally; trialling new therapies to prevent, delay, or reverse type 1 diabetes.

“It is essential that we support Victorian research institutes to continue these advancements.”

Supporting the Victorian diabetes research workforce

Building and retaining a skilled diabetes research workforce is challenging. Unreliable funding and short-term employment contracts means researchers leave for other sectors.

A dedicated diabetes Fellowships program would create essential pathways for Victorian early-career and mid-career researchers.

“This is a critical step in establishing the next generation of leaders, who can attract research investment across discovery, behavioural research, new therapies and innovations in prevention,” Ms Monaghan says.

Diabetes Victoria is calling on the next Victorian Government to invest $10.2 million over five years to establish a Diabetes Research Fellowships program. This will power the future Victorian diabetes research workforce. Diabetes Victoria will co-invest in its establishment.

Building on successful diabetes care services

The Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI) is focused on delivering innovations for diabetes diagnosis and care.

ACADI played a leading role in establishing the innovative diabetes service within the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. The service has helped 85% of patients avoid hospital, and delivered a 94% patient satisfaction rate.

We are calling on the next Victorian Government to invest $4.3 million over 4 years for ACADI to partner with health services, industry and lived experience to design and deliver further state-of-the-art enhancements for diabetes care.

Engaging ACADI as part of health care reforms will not only improve experiences for people living with diabetes, it will also reduce stress on the health care system.

You can read more about the Diabetes Victoria state election priorities in the Diabetes Doesn't Rest policy document.