GPs can now approve fully funded continuous glucose monitors for veteran card holders despite their ban from approving the devices under the National Diabetes Services Scheme.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) had restricted initiation of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to endocrinologists but, on 3 November, opened it up to GPs, diabetes educators, registered nurses and diabetes clinics.

They can now provide fully funded CGMs and ongoing consumables for both Gold Card and White Card holders who have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes as a DVA-approved condition.

Confirming the changes, a DVA spokesperson said seeing an endocrinologist could “be difficult for some veterans, particularly those living in regional, rural and remote communities”.