CMDHB - 03 March 2005

Combatting Diabetes in Counties Manukau: Let's Beat Diabetes

Counties Manukau is currently experiencing a growing epidemic of type two diabetes. There are more than 12,000 people in Counties Manukau diagnosed with diabetes. As many again may have diabetes but are undiagnosed.

In an attempt to combat these harrowing statistics the Counties Manukau District Health Board has commissioned a strategic five year plan in conjunction with Manukau City Council and other key stakeholders. 

The plan is highly innovative in that it aims to put in place sustainable initiatives to benefit future communities. With the number of people with diabetes in the region set to double between now and 2020 the plan aims to prevent the disease, slow its progression and improve quality of life for sufferers.

The draft plan, Let’s Beat Diabetes, supports a community partnership approach and lists ten action areas to battle type 2 diabetes in the region.

“The areas highlighted for action include health and fitness promotion in schools, improving urban design to support healthy, active lifestyles and enhancing well child services to reduce childhood obesity. Strategies that focus on improved Maori and Pacific outcomes feature in all the action areas.” says project manager Amanda Dunlop.

At present, a lot of time and effort is put into educating health professionals about the disease. Secondary care are running diabetes health professional courses for practice nurses and other interested parties. The aim of these courses is to upskill those in attendance. The course covers off all the important aspects of diabetes from prevention to maintaining a patient database.

In addition, diabetes nurses and consultants now go out into the community and hold clinics at GP practices. Consultants and nurses are there to mentor and upskill but on the terms and territory of those attending the education clinics.

Collaboration between primary care providers and hospital eye specialist teams has been the crucial factor in the success of Counties Manukau District Health Board’s laser eye clinics for people with diabetes. Laser clinics for people with damaged eyes as a result of diabetes are now held at night after a review of opthamology at Counties Manukau and the rate of people not showing up for eyesight-saving appointments has been slashed. Clinics held so far have had an almost 100 percent rate of attendance.

Counties Manukau has also started a gestational diabetes project to improve following up at-risk women. When a woman’s blood sugar is high in pregnancy, it can lead to birth defects and still births. Gestational diabetes is a warning – it indicated a high risk of developing diabetes after pregnancy.

For more information please contact Lauren Young, Counties Manukau District Health Board Communications Manager on phone: (09) 378 8433 or 027 243 9900 or email laureny   "at" xtra.co.nz