Welcome to O'BRIEN HEALTHCARE!! Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in the western world. The team at O'Brien Healthcare is highly knowledgeable in the prevention,management and treatment of diabetes and other health disorders.
O'BRIEN HEALTHCARE is all about holistic care. The education is aimed at giving a person all the knowledge required to become "their" expert in their diabetes management. Shireen O'Brien is the Director of O'Brien Healthcare and she is a registered nurse and a credentialled diabetes educator. Shireen has established this practice over many years and now provides the enhanced service of an accredited practising dietitian. Our dietitian shares Shireen's passion in providing expert dietary advice and support to every client. Enabling all clients in need of assistance to receive it in a timely, professional manner. We aim to provide a standard of service that is second to none!

Office Hours:
8:30am -5:00pm weekdays
Saturday and evening hours are available by special appointment.

Mobile Diabetes Education Consultations also available

Our Staff

Shireen O'Brien Director RN CDE

Credentialled Diabetes Educator

A credentialled diabetes educator (CDE) will guide you through your journey of understanding and taking control of the condition. A credentialled diabetes educator (CDE) is a health care professional who is specialized and certified to teach people with diabetes, how to manage their condition. The CDE is an invaluable asset to those who want to learn the tools and skills necessary to control their blood glucose levels and avoid long-term complications due to hyperglycemia. Unlike other health care professionals, the CDE can spend as much time as is needed; both for educational purposes and emotional support. adeacder.jpg Shireen O'Brien studied to be a Registered Nurse at the University of Western Sydney in N.S.W.

She graduated in 1997 then worked as an Intensive Care and Emergency Nurse for many years. Shireen completed her Post Graduate studies in Diabetes Education at Curtin University in Western Australia and since that time she has worked as the only full time Private Mobile Diabetes Educator in the Far North of Queensland. Shireen is passionate about diabetes and empowering others to take control of their health. Quality and continuity bases the foundation on which she works. And her caring attitude is her point of difference.

Shireen has also: -Worked as a University Clinical Nursing Facilitator -Private contract Nurse consultant -Pharmaceutical sales Representative -Agency and Cruise Nurse Since this is Shireen's own business, great pride and dedication is delivered to each and every client.The results speak for themselves!!!!

Melissah-Su Bruce MDietSt BHlthSc(Nutr)

Accredited Practising Dietitian

Melissah is a member of the Dietitian's Association of Australia (DAA). Melissah has a Master of Dietetics Studies from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition) from QUT. Melissah has a passion for diabetes ,malnutrition, orthopedics, general medicine, oncology, obesity and pediatric health.

What does a dietitian do?

Dietitians may perform the following tasks:

• counsel and educate clients on appropriate diets, menu planning and preparation of food to treat an illness or disease and/or to enhance and maintain optimum health

• plan, evaluate and conduct nutrition intervention/education programs for vulnerable groups to promote appropriate dietary practice in the community

• plan appropriate diets and menus to meet the needs of individuals whose medical condition can be treated or controlled by diet therapy

Michelle Oliver

Practice Manager
Michelle is an extremely qualified practice manager. Michelle and her husband have moved to Cairns from Canberra (ACT).
Michelle is the main point of call for the practice looking after all bookings, reports and daily running of the practice.

Michelle is the bubbly voice you hear on the end of the phone when you call.
Michelle is extremely professional and goes the extra mile to ensure that all our clients are followed up for appointments and reviews.
If you have any questions, problems or need some information please give us a call.

Information Resources

Here we will have links to articles and medical organizations that can provide additional information on our specialties.If there are any other sites you think would help the community please email us.

Information Links
Diabetes Australia
Diabetes Australia Queensland
Australian Diabetes Educators Association
Insulin for Life

Links to Other Medical Organizations
Dietitians Association of Australia
Medicare
Enhanced Primary Care Program (EPC)

Group Service referral form
How to refer to "group sessions"

Our Service

- Credentialled Diabetes Educator
- Accredited Practising Dietitian

There are three main areas of focus for O'BRIEN HEALTHCARE.
1. Individual services
2. Group education sessions
3. Corporate Health education

Individual services
- This is a personalised "one on one" service
- Time can be taken to make sure a client understands the holistic care of diabetes
- Individual situations can be analysed and are tailored to the individuals needs

Group education sessions
- Group environment
- Able to learn from others in the same situation
- The ability to build lasting friendships

Corporate Education
-For companies wishing to educate staff on diabetes prevention and management
-For large and small businesses wishing to empower staff on lifestyle change

What does a Credentialled Diabetes Educator do?
Some of the area's covered in a Diabetes Education consultation include:

- What is Diabetes
- Nutrition and exercise
- Smoking and Diabetes
- Oral Hypoglycaemic agents
- Insulin
- Footcare
- Blood Glucose monitoring
- Medication adjustment
- Complications and Prevention
- Sick Day Management
- Sexual Function & Diabetes
- Hypoglycaemia -What, Why, When & How
- Hba1c
- NDSS
- Diabetes and driving
- Tailored education to your needs & level of understanding
health
What is a Dietitian?
Dietitians are health professionals who improve the health of individuals, groups and communities by applying the science of human nutrition. Dietitians use their skills and knowledge to modify diets to treat medical conditions, and to advise other health professionals about the role of diet in healthcare, as well as educate the general public about eating for health.

Diabetic Complications
-Heart Attack
-Stroke
-Amputations
-Blindness
-Renal Failure
-Sexual Dysfunction
and more

Every person is different in their requirements when seeing a credentialled diabetes educator. Depending on your situation, you may require between 3-5 consultations with a 3 and 6 month review period.
Education is the key to success!!!. We all learn at different rates and the benefit of having your own PRIVATE CREDENTIALLED DIABETES EDUCATOR is that they will look at you, the individual and not you- the number in the system.

See your Doctor as you may be eligible for an "Extended Primary Care" plan (EPC) or Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA) referral.

"Remember that this is a private service and you should expect results. There is a small out of pocket expense but what price do you put on your health?"
Some clients will be eligible for a Medicare rebate.

Please call or email for enquires as below on:

07 40316 176
or
admin@obrienhealthcare.com.au

"Each consultation can be done in the comfort of your home or the practice "
Consultations Price

Allied Health

Individual Services

First Consultation: $120 (If on an EPC plan a Medicare rebate of approx $50)= $70 out of pocket
Additional Consultations : $95 (If on an EPC plan a Medicare rebate of approx $50)= $45 out of pocket
Dietitian Consultations:$85 (If on an EPC plan a Medicare rebate of approx$50)= $35 out of pocket
Confer with your private health fund (if you have insurance) as they may rebate in full
DVA patients as per Australian Government payments
Mobile Service available at an additional cost or by arrangement with the Diabetes Educator

Group Sessions

If referred by a General Practitioner on an EPC group services referral- all services are bulk billed
Pre Diabetes clients wishing to attend privately will incure a $20 per hour fee. Each session is for 2 hours at a time.

O'Brien Healthcare welcomes donations to our service.

We aim to continue to provide a high quality service to the community. Any donations of any amount are most welcome.

Thankyou

Shireen O'Brien