Kerry Finlay

Program Manager
Immunisation, LIFE!, Practice Managers & QUM
Ph: 02 6049 1904
Fax: 02 6049 1999
Email: kfinlay@bordergp.org.au

What are Lifestyle Modification Programs?

In April 2007 the Commonwealth announced an initiative to address the growth in Type II Diabetes. The initiative was updated in May 2010

• Locally run, subsidised Lifestyle Modification Programs (LMPs) for eligible patients at risk of developing Type II diabetes,
• At Risk Diabetes Assessment claimable under time based health assessment items (701 - 707)

There are two funding steams for LMPs - government funding for those aged 40-49 and Diabetes Australia Victoria funding for those aged over 50.

What do Lifestyle Modification Programs do?

Life Modification Programs provide:

• Support and assistancce for people to make incremental and sustainable lifestyle changes to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 Diabetes
• Education and support programs accredited through the Department of Health & Ageing
• Group education (maximum 15 in each session)
• A six month minimum program (minimum eight hours contact per participant)
• Accredited LMP providers that meet national standards and core competencies
• Feedback on goals and progress to referring GPs

How can Lifestyle Modification Programs help you?

The Albury Wodonga Health Wodonga Campus and Health and Fitness Plus exercise physiologists currently offer the LIFE! Take Action on Diabetes Program within the Albury Wodonga Regional GP Network area.  The next evening program commences in Wodonga on July 13th. Referrals can be faxed to 02 6013 9733.

Eligibility is based on age, score on  AUSDRISK tool, exclusion of diabetes and past history.

• Any patient aged over 40 years who scores over 12 on AUSDRISK and has diabetes excluded.
• Any person with a past history of gestational diabetes who is over 18 and not currently pregnant.
• Any person with a past history of ischamic heart diasease, angina or myocardial infarction, aged over 18 and at least three months since diagnosis or last MI.
• Patients from both NSW and VIC within the AWRGPN area can attend LMPs
• A score of 12 or more on the AUSDRISK Tool is mandatory for a patient to be eligible to be referred to LIFE! unless past history of GD or IHD.
• The AUSDRISK Tool is mandatory to claim a diabetes at risk health assessment item (see resources page) 
• The correct referral form must be used. Template can be found  here and instructions for downloading into MD, Best Practice and ZedMed here (Do not open in Word if importing into clinical software)
• Practices who have signed a funding agreement with DA-VIC are eligible for funding for referring patients over the age of 50 years to the LIFE! Program

Alternatives if a Patient won't agree to attend the LIFE! Program? 

• “Get Healthy” is a free, 6 month, confidential phone and web based service which helps people make lifestyle changes (NSW only)
• Use Lifescripts to help people identify positive changes they can make
• Diabetes Australia LIFE! phone health coaching information

What if I have a patient who wants to make lifestyle changes but already has diabetes?

• Consider referral to My Health My Life program run through Albury Wodonga Health Wodonga hospital Community Rehab Centre.  This is a program looking at self management and lifestyle skills for people with a chronic illness.  Flyer available here

What have Lifestyle Modification Programs achieved? 

For information on what the the LIFE! Take Action on Diabetes Program has achieved, visit Diabetes Australia LIFE!.