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Diabetes support policy template

A starting point for workplaces, schools and support services. Replace anything in square brackets with your own details, then print it for the staff room or save it as a PDF.

This policy supports, but does not replace, an individual's personalised Diabetes Management Plan or medical emergency directives. Fill in every bracketed field before you adopt, print or display it, and always call 000 immediately for any life-threatening emergency.

In Time Diabetes First Aid · Staff Reference

Diabetes Support & Emergency Response Policy

[Organisation name] · Version [1.0] · Date [ / / ] · Review due [ / / ]

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Read before you adopt this policy

Important Safety Statement: This policy supports, but does not replace, an individual's personalised Diabetes Management Plan or medical emergency directives. Always call 000 immediately for any life-threatening emergency.

Important: All bracketed fields (e.g. [Organisation name], [name, phone], [location]) must be completed with your organisation's specific details before this policy is adopted, printed, or displayed.

If it is an emergency

Call 000

Then notify the diabetes support contact and first aid officers.

Low glucoseHypoglycaemia

Below 4.0 mmol/L

Signs

  • Shaky
  • Sweaty
  • Pale
  • Confused
  • Irritable
  • Unusually quiet
  • Hungry

The Rule of 15

1Give 15g fast-acting carbohydrate
2Wait 15 minutes
3Re-check glucose
4Repeat if still below 4.0 mmol/L

15g is about 6 to 7 jelly beans, half a can of regular soft drink, or 150ml juice.

If drowsy, fitting or unresponsive

Call 000 immediately. Roll them onto their side. Do not put anything in their mouth. Use glucagon only if it is available and you have been shown how.

Once above 4.0 mmol/L: give a longer-acting carbohydrate if their next meal is more than 20 minutes away.

High glucoseHyperglycaemia & ketones

Above target range

Signs

  • Very thirsty
  • Frequent urination
  • Tiredness
  • Blurred vision

What to do

  • Encourage water and rest, and let the person follow their own management plan.
  • For urgent but not life-threatening concerns, a Virtual ED or virtual urgent care service (where available) or the person's GP or diabetes educator can advise.

Call 000 if you see

Vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, breath that smells sweet or fruity, drowsiness or confusion. These can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a medical emergency.

Emergency contacts

000Emergency
[name, phone]Site first aid officer

Nominated emergency contact record kept at: [location].

01

Purpose

  • [Organisation name] is committed to a safe, inclusive environment for people living with diabetes, staff, students, clients and visitors. This policy sets out how we recognise and respond to a diabetes emergency, and how we support people day to day without singling them out.
02

Scope

  • This policy applies to all staff, volunteers and contractors at [site/location]. It covers emergency response only. It does not make anyone responsible for another person's diabetes management.
03

Roles and responsibilities

  • Diabetes support contact: [name, role, phone], keeps this policy current and maintains the hypo kit.
  • First aid officers: [names], respond to hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia and decide when to call 000.
  • Managers/teachers: make reasonable adjustments (breaks to eat, test or treat) and keep information private.
  • All staff: know where the hypo kit is, and know that glucose below 4.0 mmol/L is treated immediately.
04

Hypo kit

  • Location(s): [e.g. staff kitchen, front office, first aid room].
  • Contents: fast-acting carbohydrate for the Rule of 15 (jelly beans, regular soft drink or juice, glucose tablets), longer-acting carbohydrate (dry biscuits, muesli bar), and a copy of the response steps below.
  • Checked monthly by: [name]. Expiry dates recorded on [form/register].
05

CGM and insulin pump considerations

  • Alarms from a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or pump are a safety feature, staff should never silence or remove another person's device.
  • Continuous glucose monitor readings can lag behind an actual finger-prick reading, especially when glucose is moving quickly. Treat symptoms, not just the number.
  • Phones and receivers must be permitted at all times, including exams, meetings and on the floor, because they display glucose readings.
06

Privacy and respectful language

  • A person's diabetes information is shared only with those who need it to respond safely, and only with their consent (or a parent/guardian's consent).
  • We use person-first, non-judgmental language. Glucose readings are not described as 'good' or 'bad', and we do not question food choices, insulin doses or device alarms.
07

Training and review

  • All staff complete diabetes first aid training at induction and refresh it every [12/24] months.
  • Training records held by: [name/system].
  • This policy is reviewed on [date] by [name], or sooner if an incident or legislative change requires it.