Diabetes Victoria encourages Victorian health professionals to apply for the 2018 Gwen Scott Grant Program. This year, Diabetes Victoria will award a total of $25,000 to health professionals to further their training and development in diabetes. Grant recipients can also take advantage of valuable networking opportunities with other professionals in the field of diabetes.

“Past recipients have used their grants in a myriad of ways – such as further study for a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education, attending an IDF Congress, or assistance with completing a Masters of Advanced Nursing,” says Diabetes Victoria CEO Craig Bennett.

Diabetes Victoria established the Gwen Scott Grant Program in 2006, as part of a commitment to Victorian health professionals who support those living with, or at risk of, diabetes. Grants are open to health professional members of Diabetes Victoria at all levels of training and experience – including those new to the diabetes community.

“Almost 320,000 Victorians are known to be living with diabetes and there is an increasing need to provide health professionals with opportunities to increase their knowledge and understanding of diabetes, management strategies and health promotion,” Mr Bennett adds. “Diabetes increases a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision and loss of a limb; so the more we can encourage health professionals to further their learning in the field of diabetes, the better for all Victorians.”

“Diabetes is a complex and serious condition to manage. As information about diabetes changes quickly due to research findings and advances in technology, continuous learning is essential. Health professionals need to update their knowledge and reflect on their practice in order to constantly improve the education and care they provide. This is why Diabetes Victoria supports its health professional members through the Gwen Scott Grant Program,” Mr Bennett concluded.

2017 Gwen Scott Grant recipient, Louisa Li, used her grant to attend the Australian Diabetes Society & Australian Diabetes Educator Association Annual Scientific Meeting in Perth last year. The prevalence of diabetes in the rural and remote community around Numurkah where Louisa works is very high, and there is a scarcity of health professionals who have specialised in diabetes management. Attending this meeting enabled Louisa to update her diabetes knowledge and skills and provided her with an opportunity to network with other health professionals, exchange resources and share learnings with others.

Gwen Scott was Australia’s first nurse employed as a specialist in diabetes education and the first employee of the Diabetic Association of Victoria, which is Diabetes Victoria today. Gwen was influential in establishing the role of diabetes educators, both in Victoria and nationally.

Applications for funding support under the 2018 Gwen Scott Grant Program close on Thursday 31 May. Successful applicants will be announced during National Diabetes Week in July.

Diabetes Victoria supports, empowers and campaigns for all Victorians affected by, or at risk of, diabetes.

To find out about grant application details visit diabetesvic.org.au/gwenscott