The number of people with diabetes has doubled in the past 20 years.
Perth's new children's hospital is likely to get rid of a teenage clinic for type-one diabetes, according to WA's opposition health spokesman Roger Cook.
The clinic currently operates at Princess Margaret Hospital's Endocrinology clinic, provides a service to help adolescents with their condition.
A question mark remains over whether the clinic will remain in operation once the new children's hospital, understood to replace services provided by PMH, is completed in 2015, Mr Cook told 6PR on Sunday.
WA opposition spokesman for health Roger Cook.
"These patients need to be very much assisted. The fact that they're closing the clinic is really a cause for a great deal of concern," he said.
Rather than have a separate clinic, it is likely they will consolidate health services for out-patients, Mr Cook said.
Perth needed specialists to provide "dedicated and committed services" to guide children dealing with the disease, into adulthood, he said.
Removing the service is "a step backwards" to try to save money he said.
The number of people with diabetes (both type one and two) has essentially doubled over the last twenty years, Mr Cook said.
"Diabetes is going to continue to be a significant problem in our society.
"We can't take our foot off the pedal to keep finding new ways to treat people dealing with diabetes."
He said the West Australian government needed to clarify its position and explain whether it will still provide the stand-alone clinic.
Kim Hames, the WA Minister for Health has been contacted for comment
Published on : Sunday, July 21, 2013
Category : Diabetes
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