Welcome to Nurture Diabetes Services
Managing your diabetes — We're Here to Help! Expert care, personalized plans, and ongoing support to manage your diabetes with confidence. Your health, our priority.
Who we are:
Nurture Diabetes Services is a newly established diabetes education service supporting individuals and families.
We provide compassionate, personalised and evidence-based diabetes education to help you understand your condition, build confidence in self-management, and make informed decisions about your health.
Our holistic approach focuses on diabetes education, healthy lifestyle choices and individualised support tailored to your needs, goals and circumstances.
At Nurture, we believe that living well with diabetes begins with knowledge, understanding and the right support. We are here to walk alongside you on your journey, empowering you to take control of your health and enjoy a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Your health journey matters. Let’s take the next step together.
Services are Tailored made.
We offer both face-to-face and telehealth consultations, providing flexible, personalised diabetes education and support to meet your individual needs.
Our services support people living with all types of diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. We also provide guidance on:
Pregnancy planning and diabetes management during pregnancy
Insulin pump therapy and support
Continuous glucose monitoring technology and troubleshooting
Insulin education
Diabetes self-management education
Carers/staff education and training
In-person and Online consultation:
Receive personalised diabetes education and support through face-to-face appointments tailored to your individual needs.
Telehealth Consultations Access diabetes education and professional support from the comfort of your own home through secure video consultations.
Telephone Consultations Speak with a diabetes educator to discuss your concerns, receive guidance and build confidence in managing your diabetes.
Insulin Pump Therapy Support
Considering an insulin pump? Get personalised guidance throughout your journey.
Moving from insulin injections to pump therapy is an important step in diabetes management. With the right education and preparation, you can develop the knowledge and confidence to use your pump safely and effectively.
At Nurture Diabetes Services, we offer two complimentary appointments for eligible clients commencing insulin pump therapy:
Initial Pump Start Session: Education and practical support to help you get started with your insulin pump.
Follow-Up Review: An opportunity to review your progress, glucose patterns and pump settings in collaboration with your treating diabetes team.
How we can support you
Our insulin pump education service may include:
Choosing a pump: Explore available pump options and identify one that aligns with your individual needs, preferences and lifestyle.
Accessing your pump: Guidance with the relevant documentation and ordering process.
Preparing for pump therapy: Education about transitioning from multiple daily insulin injections to pump therapy, in consultation with your treating doctor.
Getting started: Support with pump operation, essential features and safe use.
Ongoing review: Review of glucose readings, insulin delivery and pump settings to help support effective diabetes management.
Whether you are exploring insulin pump options or preparing to commence therapy, we are here to help you make informed decisions and feel more confident throughout the process.
Contact Nurture Diabetes Services to discuss your needs and arrange an appointment.
Biography
Meet Our Lead Diabetes Educator
Dr Beenu Bastian, PhD
Credentialed Diabetes Educator / Registered Nurse
With over 15 years of experience in the Australian healthcare system, Dr Bastian leads our clinic with a strong commitment to delivering expert, compassionate, and patient-centred diabetes care.
As a Credentialed Diabetes Educator and Registered Nurse, Dr Bastian brings extensive experience across hospital and community diabetes education settings from the past 14 years. She provides tailored support for people with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, helping them confidently manage their condition at every stage—from diagnosis to long-term care.
She recently completed a PhD at the University of Wollongong. Dr Bastian's research focused on gestational diabetes risk stratification, with work published in top journals and featured on the ABC Health Report for its clinical and public health significance. She stays up to date with advances in diabetes and is proficient with continuous glucose monitoring devices and insulin pump therapy.
What sets her apart is her empowering, whole-person approach. She works closely with GPs, endocrinologists, and allied health professionals to ensure collaborative, evidence-based care. She is deeply passionate about helping people take control of their health through education, understanding, and support.
🌿 Special Interests
Diabetes self-management support
Gestational diabetes care
Insulin initiation and titration
Diabetes in pregnancy
Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring
Health professional education & mentorship
Fees and Medicare Rebates
Clients with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $61.80 for eligible diabetes education consultations, subject to Medicare eligibility criteria and referral requirements.Medicare rebates may be available for eligible services when the relevant referral and eligibility requirements are met.
Private Diabetes Education Appointments
You can book a private diabetes education consultation without a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan. Private appointments are suitable for people seeking personalised diabetes education, lifestyle advice or additional support with managing their condition.
Please contact us to discuss your eligibility for Medicare rebates and any out-of-pocket costs.
📚 Publications
2025
Bastian, B., Smithers, L.G., Kunjunju, A., Pape, A., & Francois, M. (2025). Postprandial Hyperglycaemia Screening and Pregnancy Outcomes: Lessons From COVID‐19. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Bastian, B., Smithers, L.G., & Francois, M. (2025). Does diagnosis of GDM modify the effect of pre-pregnancy BMI on pregnancy outcomes? Under consideration for publication by Diabetic Medicine.
2024
Bastian, B., Smithers, L.G., Pape, A., Davis, W., Fu, K., & Francois, M. (2024, November 1). Early screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its impact on perinatal outcomes. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 217, 111890.
2023
Bastian, B., Pape, A., Kunjunju, A., Smithers, L.G., & Francois, M. (2023). Postprandial hyperglycaemia screening and pregnancy outcomes—lessons from COVID-19: a data linkage study. Authorea Preprints.
2022
Bastian, B., Smithers, L.G., Davis, W., Pape, A., & Francois, M.E. (2022). Metformin: A promising option for the management of gestational diabetes mellitus—Exploring the benefits, challenges and clinical needs in the current management of gestational diabetes mellitus. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 62(3), 453–456.
Roach, L.A., Woolfe, W., Bastian, B., Neale, E.P., & Francois, M.E. (2022). Systematic literature review: Should a bedtime snack be used to treat hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 116(5), 1251–1264.
🎤 Invited Talks & Media Contributions
2025
Early Diagnosis of GDM – Roche Educators’ Day 2025
Early Diagnosis of GDM – Interview with Dr. Norman Swan on ABC News
Contact Information
Address
Illawarra Specialist Health Care, 50 Church St, Wollongong 2500
Phone
Mob: 0407906852; Ph: 0242504355My Blog
Walking After Meals: A Simple Way to Support Blood Glucose Control
Frequently Asked Questions
A Diabetes Educator provides personalised education and practical advice to help you understand and manage your diabetes confidently. This includes guidance on blood glucose monitoring, medications and insulin, healthy eating, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and improve your diabetes self-management.
No referral is required to book an appointment with Nurture Diabetes Services. However, a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) and a valid referral from your GP may be required to access Medicare rebates for eligible consultations, subject to Medicare criteria.
We prefer an initial face-to-face consultation wherever possible. Follow-up appointments can be arranged via secure video/phone consultations for your convenience, depending on your needs and preferences.