Long Term Condition Support

Diabetes

Chronic Conditions Management

Geriatric Medicine

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest growing preventable health conditions in New Zealand. A 2021 report found that almost 5% of New Zealanders have type 2 diabetes.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is when the level of glucose in your blood is too high. If it’s not controlled, it can damage the organs in your body, such as the heart and nerves. The amount of glucose in your body is controlled by various hormones, primarily insulin. With diabetes, your body is unable to produce insulin, or it doesn’t respond properly to the insulin it produces.

There are three types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes

This is an auto-immune condition where the body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, so not enough is produced. Type 1 diabetes usually begins in childhood and can appear suddenly, often after a viral infection. It’s important to note that Type 1 diabetes isn’t lifestyle related. About 10% of people diagnosed with diabetes have type 1.

Type 2 diabetes

When your body can’t use insulin effectively. The insulin-making cells in your pancreas produce insulin, but the insulin isn’t working well. About 90% of people with diabetes have type 2.

Gestational diabetes

When a pregnant woman who was not known to have diabetes before pregnancy develops high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. About 4-8% of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If left untreated it can lead to problems for both mum and baby. Usually, it goes away after giving birth but may recur in future pregnancies.

What Is pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes is when your blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. People diagnosed with pre-diabetes can make lifestyle changes to reverse diagnosis.

Diabetes in New Zealand

Diabetes is reasonably common in New Zealand with over 323,700 people living with it according to 2023 stats. Māori and Pacific people are disproportionately affected, being three times higher than other New Zealanders.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes depend on how high your blood sugar is. It’s important to remember that some people don’t experience symptoms, especially for prediabetes, gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Common symptoms include:

Unexplained weight loss
Frequent urination
Extreme hunger
Irritability
Excessive thirst
Extreme tiredness
Blurred vision
Slow healing cuts and bruises

If you notice any of the above symptoms in you or a loved one, it’s important to seek medical advice from your GP, especially if you’re in a high-risk population such as Māori and Pasifika.

Our diabetes services

Our GPs and clinical teams offer the following services:

Diagnosis

Blood test referral and management of results

Education and support

Guidance on self-management plans and monitoring blood sugar levels with glucometers

Treatments

Advice on lifestyle changes and prescribing of appropriate medication.

Monitoring

Regular review of your monitoring of your blood sugar levels and medication adjustment as required

Referrals

Referring you to specialist diabetes clinics/ podiatrists and retinal screening when necessary

Preventing or improving type 2 diabetes & pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes can be prevented or improved by changing your lifestyle, such as healthy eating habits, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight. Our top recommendations are:

Eat healthily

A balanced diet, consider how much and when you eat, being mindful of carb, fibre, fat and salt intake

Be active

Regular physical activity helps your cells use insulin and lowers your blood sugar

Get enough sleep

Poor sleep can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes

All of these are important to your long-term health. If you’re struggling with your eating, exercise or sleep habits, please seek support and advice from our expert clinical team. We’re here to support your health and well-being.

Living with diabetes

Treatment options depend on your diabetes diagnosis. Common treatment plans include oral medication or insulin medication and regularly monitoring blood sugar levels. While it may feel overwhelming when first diagnosed, remember there’s plenty of support available, you’re not alone.

How to access our services

Book an Appointment

Book an appointment online or contact our medical centres to book.

Enrolling as a patient

Seeing a consistent clinical team (GPs, nurses, and other healthcare providers from the same practice) every time is proven to give you the best health outcomes. This is especially important for those managing chronic conditions. Trusted by over 400,000 Kiwis with 65+ medical centres across NZ, we’re your health partner for life. Read more about the benefits of being an enrolled patient or find your closest medical centre today.

Enrol with us today

Resources and education

There are some great resources and tools available online. Here are our top recommendations:

Chronic Health Conditions & Management

Our experienced GPs and healthcare team provide ongoing care to help patients manage chronic health conditions. We work with you to ensure regular monitoring, tailored treatment strategies, and support services so that you get the best possible health outcomes. Whether you're dealing with a newly diagnosed condition or need support managing a long-term illness, our team is here to help.

We provide expert care and support for a range of chronic health conditions.

Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2

We provide comprehensive diabetes care, including regular monitoring, medication management, and lifestyle advice. Our team can also assist with referrals to specialists when needed.

Heart disease and blood pressure management

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a key risk factor for heart disease. We offer blood pressure checks, medication management, and lifestyle recommendations to help you maintain a healthy heart.

Cardiovascular disease and risk assessments

Depending on your age, gender, health, and family history, our team may provide cardiovascular risk assessments to identify potential health risks early. We offer guidance on lifestyle changes, medication management, and preventive care to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Chronic respiratory conditions: Asthma and COPD

We support patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through ongoing monitoring, medication reviews, and educational support to help them manage symptoms.

Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions

For osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic back or neck pain, we offer regular reviews, medication management, and referrals to specialists and allied health services when appropriate.

Mental health: Anxiety, stress and depression

Our clinical team provides support for anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health concerns. We offer assessments, counselling referrals, and medication management to help improve emotional well-being.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

We provide regular monitoring for kidney function, lifestyle advice, medication management, and referrals to specialists and allied health services when needed to support your overall health and well-being while living with chronic kidney disease.

Obesity and weight management

Our team offers support for weight management, including lifestyle and dietary advice, medical interventions, and referrals to community services such as Green Prescription and specialists when necessary.

Gastrointestinal conditions

We help manage conditions such as coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Our team provides dietary guidance, symptom management, and specialist referrals when needed.

Gout

Our GPs offer gout management, including medication, dietary advice, and lifestyle changes to reduce flare-ups and improve joint health.

Book an appointment

Book an appointment online or contact our medical centres to book.

Enrolling as a patient

Seeing a consistent GP and healthcare team every time is proven to give you the best health outcomes. This is especially important if you’re managing a chronic health condition. Read more about the benefits of being an enrolled patient or find our medical centre today.

Resources and education

There are some great resources and tools available online. Here are our top recommendations:

Health New Zealand – Chronic Health Conditions

Geriatric Medicine & Healthy Ageing

Our compassionate GPs and healthcare team are experts in the unique health needs of older adults. We are dedicated to supporting your health, independence, and quality of life as you age. We provide comprehensive, coordinated care that includes thorough assessments, personalised treatment plans, and connections to support services. Whether you are navigating new health changes or managing long-term conditions, our team is here to partner with you for your best possible well-being.

We provide expert geriatric care and support for a range of age-related health conditions.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)
We offer holistic health assessments that go beyond a standard check-up. Our team evaluates your physical, mental, functional, and social wellbeing to create a unified care plan focused on maintaining your independence and managing complex health needs.

Cognitive Health: Dementia and Memory Concerns
We provide support and assessments for memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, and other forms of dementia. Our care includes early detection, medication management, family support, and referrals to specialist services like Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC).

Fall Prevention & Mobility Support
Falls are a major concern for senior health. We offer falls risk assessments, reviews of medications that may contribute to dizziness, mobility advice, and referrals to physiotherapists or occupational therapists for strength and balance programmes.

Medication Management (Polypharmacy)

Older adults often manage multiple medications. We provide regular medication reviews to ensure your prescriptions are appropriate, effective, and not interacting negatively, helping to improve safety and reduce side effects.

Bone Health: Osteoporosis and Arthritis
We manage conditions that affect mobility and independence, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Our care includes bone density (DEXA) scan referrals, medication management, pain control, and advice on diet and exercise to maintain strong bones and joints.

Heart Health and Blood Pressure
We manage chronic conditions like hypertension, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation common in older age. Our care includes regular monitoring, medication adjustment, and lifestyle advice tailored to your needs.

Social Connection and Mental Wellbeing
Loneliness and depression can significantly impact the health of older adults. We provide supportive consultations for anxiety, depression, and grief, and can assist with referrals to community groups, social workers, and counselling services to support your mental and emotional health.

Advance Care Planning (ACP)
We encourage proactive conversations about your future healthcare wishes. Our GPs can guide you through the process of Advance Care Planning, helping you document your preferences so your whānau and healthcare team can honour your decisions.

Incontinence Management

Our team provides sensitive and supportive care for bladder and bowel incontinence. We offer assessments, treatment options, management strategies, and referrals to specialist continence nurses or urologists.

Palliative and Supportive Care
We are committed to supporting quality of life for patients with serious, life-limiting illnesses. We focus on symptom management, comfort, and emotional and spiritual support, working closely with family/whānau and specialist palliative care services.

Book an Appointment
Book an appointment online or contact our medical centres to book.

Enrolling as a Patient
Consistent care from a GP and healthcare team who know you is proven to deliver the best health outcomes, especially in your senior years. Read more about the benefits of being an enrolled patient or find our centre today.

Resources and Education
There are excellent resources available for older adults and their whānau. Here are our top recommendations:

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora: Healthy Ageing
Age Concern NZ: Programmes and Services
Alzheimer's NZ: Support and Information
Carers NZ: Support for Family Carers

Other Services

Child and Youth Health

We’re committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services tailored to the needs of children and youth.