frequently asked questions

Do you only see clients via Telehealth?

At the time of COVID-19 all appointments were moved to Telehealth.

Telehealth enables you to make a booking at a time that suits you, without having to travel to a clinic, or sit in a waiting room. This is conducted over a secure, easy to use platform, and does not require any software or program to be installed.

Telehealth allows the sharing of screens, and studies have shown that it is an effective and efficient patient care method.

How do I make a booking?

You can book online here

I’m a Health Professional, how do I make a referral?

Details of how to make a referral can be found on the Contact Us page.

What to expect from your consultation

At your first consultation a specialised diabetes dietitian will collect details of your type of diabetes, medications, daily blood glucose readings, weight, medical history, relevant pathology and assess food and eating habits. Based on what nutritional issues are identified, goals are set and an appropriate eating plan is constructed. Materials are provided to answer the questions you may have.

Do I need a referral?

Many clients are referred by their GP or endocrinologist to assess and guide their eating habits. However, you do not need a referral and you can simply book yourself in for a consultation.

Is there a cancellation policy?

We understand that sometimes circumstances mean you may need to change your appointment. However, late changes to appointments create difficulty with filling, and extends waiting time for appointments for other clients. A late cancellation payment may be applied to cancellations within 24 hours.

Can I claim with my private health insurance?

Depending on your level of cover, many health insurers will cover part of your consultation fee.

Can I claim from Medicare?

You require a Chronic Disease Management Plan to be eligible to claim Medicare rebates for allied health consultations. Your local doctor can complete the necessary paperwork. See the Medicare website for further information. A gap payment is payable for EPC consultations.

Do you bulk-bill?

No, for all consultations, an out of pocket payment is required. Bulk billing is not available for appointments.

What do I need to do to prepare for appointment?

The more information you provide in your online form, the easier it is to thoroughly assess, and build an appropriate dietary plan tailored to you. Please complete the online form, forward any referral letters, blood glucose testing results, pathology tests, list of medications you take, and any necessary EPC paperwork. These can be emailed to admin@deconstructingdiabetes.com.au

To get the most out of your appointment, it best that you have a distraction free environment, as well as secure internet.

I have seen a dietitian before. What is different about Deconstructing Diabetes?

You may have seen a dietitian previously.  Our dietitians don't just have some experience in managing diabetes, that's what they do.

Will you provide me with a meal plan?

Yes, meal plans may be an effective method for you to learn how to eat appropriately, and are included in your consultation if required.

Do you teach carbohydrate counting?

Yes, carbohydrate (carb) counting is an important skill for many people with diabetes to learn. So yes, if it's important for you to know, we cover it. We educate you how to effectively count the carbs in foods with labels, foods without labels, in recipes and when eating out.

Why can’t I just google “What do I eat if I have diabetes?”

Diabetes is a long term problem, one which needs a long term solution. The solution is integrating healthy eating into your lifestyle. And this needs to be individualised to you and your life situation. To do this you need to work on changing old habits, creating new ones, focusing on behaviour strategies, rather than just following a list of foods to avoid.

Your logo is pretty cool.

That's not a really a question, but a statement. Thanks. Yeah it's pretty cool. The logo is a chemical structure - a "hexol", or a glucose molecule, which is the simplest form of sugar. The bottom of the letter "D" in Diabetes is breaking away. That represents what we do - simplify, and deconstruct dietary management of diabetes.

Do you see children?

Unfortunately only adult patients are seen.

My friend has diabetes. Why can't I just follow the eating plan their doctor or dietitian gave them?

The advice your friend may have been given may not be appropriate for you. In-fact it may be incorrect advice, depending on what type of diabetes you have, what medications you are on (or not on), your weight, etc. That's why we develop a specific plan based on your type of diabetes, how long you have had it for, what medications you take, your weight, your appetite, food preferences and how much activity you do.

Do you only see people with diabetes?

We specialise in diabetes, and also weight management (including bariatric or metabolic surgery).

Is the correct spelling "dietician" or "dietitian"?

In Australia, the most common spelling is "dietitian". In the US, the variant spelling "dietician" is commonly used.

I see you have a contact page, can I ask a question about my diabetes there?

Unfortunately due to the number of enquires, and also for medico-legal reasons, specific questions cannot be answered without a consultation.