Life changed significantly for 11-year-old Callum Brown when he was diagnosed with diabetes; but a new program is helping kids like him feel supported at school and giving their parents peace of mind.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is one of two pilot sites outside of Brisbane to run the Diabetes in Schools program, an information and training program designed to help schools better support students with Type 1 diabetes.

Callum, a Year 6 Emmanuel Catholic College student, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age nine after serious complications put him in a coma in the intensive care unit at Mackay Base Hospital.

During National Diabetes Week (14 to 20 July), Callum’s mum Jordan Martin recalled his diagnosis in November 2022, describing it as “traumatic and very stressful”.

“Managing his diabetes now is a 24/7 job and it impacts everything Callum does from what he eats to the sports he plays as well as the other activities he can participate in at school,” Jordan said.

“As parents it’s scary to send your child to school and hand over his care to someone else. It’s very important that Callum is healthy and supported both at home and at school so he can achieve and enjoy school like any other child.”

The program provides access to a range of tools, resources, information and support as well as face-to-face practical training by qualified health professionals including Mackay HHS diabetes educator Yolanda Gibbons.

The program eased the anxiety of families in knowing that a range of staff at their child’s school were trained and knew what to do and how to help when needed, Yolanda said.

“We currently have 105 diabetic patients aged from one to 20 across the Mackay HHS requiring different levels of support, but this particular program focuses on children attending primary and high school,” she said.

“All school staff can be trained across a range of topics including administering insulin, what to do if the child’s blood sugar levels are too high or too low and how to use a variety of insulin pumps.”

Jordan said it was an enormous relief to know the training was available and that Emmanuel College had been “fantastic and supportive” about staff taking advantage of the education program.

“It means we are less anxious and know that the school staff are comfortable and confident in managing Callum’s condition,” she said.

Callum now wears a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) which tracks his glucose levels, day and night. The unit sounds an alarm if his blood glucose levels are changing rapidly, Jordan said.

“Callum still has to check his levels before he eats and then calculate how many carbs are in his next meal to program it into the CGM,” she said.

“I had originally worried he wouldn’t advocate for himself, but Callum knows his symptoms sometimes before they even register on the CGM and he tells the teacher when he doesn’t feel great so they can help him.

“He is coping well and is confident in telling people at school what he needs so they can help.”

Mackay Base Hospital paediatrician Dr Shaun Cousen said the education program improved the care available to Type 1 diabetic children in rural and regional centres.

“This program is funded by the National Diabetes Service Scheme through the Queensland Children’s Hospital and is run locally by a qualified diabetic educator,” he said.

“Mackay is very lucky to be selected as one of only two pilot sites across the entire state and we have received some fantastic feedback from schools as well as children and their families.”

The Diabetes in Schools program is funded by the Australian Government through the National Diabetes Service Scheme to help kids with Type 1 diabetes thrive at school.