Practice Update

We are currently not accepting new patients, and the private practice is temporarily closed. We will provide an update should circumstances change. Please contact Geelong Endocrinology and Diabetes on 03 5201 6944. New referrals will require an Endocrinology appointment.

Thank you for your understanding.

What is Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition that affects specific cells of the pancreas. These cells are no longer able to produce a vital hormone called insulin. Insulin helps regulate the body’s blood glucose levels.

Type 2 Diabetes:

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition caused by an ineffective insulin release and/or a resistance to work effectively, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels.  Type 2 Diabetes is generally attributed to family history, poor diet choices, reduced exercise, increased abdominal weight and is more commonly diagnosed in middle/later life.

FACTS & FIGURES

Did you know:

• 4.9% of people living in Australia have a diagnosis of diabetes - that is 1,176,179 million of 23,933,718 million people
• 1 person every 5 minutes develops diabetes [that is 280 people day]
• Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10% of all diabetes diagnosis - totalling 117,917 people
• Type 2 diabetes accounts for 86.7% of all registered diabetes diagnosis - totalling 1,019,707 Victoria has a 5% prevalence of diabetes - that is 294,234 thousand of 5,932,753 million people

* Facts and Figures were valid as from 30/06/2015 and supplied by the National Diabetes Services Scheme.  For further information please visit www.ndss.com.au/diabetes-map

specialised SERVICES

Geelong Diabetes Care offers a holistic approach to Diabetes Education and Patient Care. Services include:

• TYPE 1 and TYPE 2 Diabetes Education, Counselling and Review

• Other diabetes incl. gestational, pre diabetes, steroid induced

• Family Support and Education 

• Insulin Pump Therapy Initiation

• Continuous Glucose Monitoring

• Medication Prescribing and Review

• Referral to Medical Specialists

• Order and Review Pathology Tests

Jessica O'Shannassy - Nurse Practitioner

My story

After some time I became aware of just how much diabetes affects the day to day living of people that are diagnosed and decided there was a need for a more complete and specialised nursing service in this area. As such I undertook further training to become a qualified Nurse Practitioner, allowing me to provide a more holistic nursing service including prescribing of medications, diabetes education and ordering pathology/diagnostics testing. 

Navigating your way around the medical and allied health world can be overwhelming, non-personable, time consuming and very costly. I decided to become a Nurse Practitioner to assist people with diabetes by offering a cost-effective, personable, safe and specialised service. 

Training & Qualifications

Certified Academic Qualifications:

• Master of Nursing Practice, Nurse Practitioner, Deakin University, Victoria.

• Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice (Paediatrics), Melbourne University, Victoria

• Postgraduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Health Care, Mayfield Education, Victoria

• Advanced Diabetes Management (Exercise), Deakin University, Victoria

• Bachelor of Nursing, University of Ballarat, Victoria

Other Relevant Information:

• ADEA – Credentialled Diabetes Educator

• Endorsed Nurse Practitioner 

• Nurse Immuniser Program