Putting control back in the hands of diabetics
Helping more people in Otago and Southland take control of their type 2 diabetes has been the driving force for WellSouth’s self-management diabetes programme, which has been evolving since its launch.
This month for Diabetes Action Month, WellSouth Primary Health Network is raising awareness about this common condition. There are 324,000 New Zealanders living with diabetes and it is this country’s largest and fastest growing condition. There are around 12,400 people in Otago and Southland who have type 2 diabetes, according to data from the primary care patient management system (PMS). Of these, approx. 4,400 are rural, approx. 1120 are Māori (or 9%) and approx. 560 are Pacific (or 4%). Of the rural breakdown, approx. 325 are Maori (7%) and approx. 125 are Pacific (3%). *
WellSouth, which is the primary health organisation (PHO) for Otago and Southland, has been trialling a Take Control of your Diabetes evidence-based programme developed by WellSouth long-term conditions nurses. Launched in March, the programme offers in-person group sessions for Southerners with type 2 diabetes, designed to help people better self-manage their diabetes.
Now, a new session has been added to the introduction session which focusses on nutrition and medication.
WellSouth Long Term Conditions Nurse and one of the course leaders, Dave Cox, said the programme is popular with 31 sessions already delivered in the last 6 months with 247 people attending across the whole programme.
“The programme is free of charge and designed around need. People register their interest and we create sessions in their area at a convenient time. This has been successful, especially with our rural community who found it more difficult to attend courses which were only delivered in Dunedin,” he said.
Some of the rural locations where sessions have been held include Lumsden, Tuatapere, Gore, Milton, Te Anau, Queenstown, Alexandra, Oamaru, Otautau and Cromwell.
Mr Cox said people who attended the sessions were often recently diagnosed, but there were also those who have been living with diabetes for years and years struggling with symptoms, misinformed and uncertain of how to manage their medications.
“It’s been wonderful to see people’s eyes opened and walk away with a plan and the right information. The WellSouth teams running and evaluating the programme have witnessed some incredible shifts in attendees.”
“It’s important to remember that a diabetes diagnosis is a starting point, not an end. It is a manageable condition and with some information and support, you can manage the condition well.”
Mr Cox said the secondary session was in response to feedback. It is presented by a WellSouth dietitian and a pharmacist covering diet, misperceptions about what food to eat and common diabetes medications.
“It’s quite common for people to lose track on what their medications are for, and there are many misperceptions about sugar intake and nutrition,” he said.
Take Control of Your Diabetes is free-of charge and attendees may be referred by their general practice or they can self-refer, which means they can just book onto the programme themselves.
Mr Cox said attendees also get to know others who are living with the same condition in their area, which created additional support networks.
Images
WellSouth Long terms Conditions nurses Marryllyn ‘Maz’ Donaldson and Dave Cox have alongside their colleagues developed the take Control of Your Diabetes Programme and deliver it.
In image 2 and 3, Dave is pictured with course participants after an introduction session in Dunedin.
Brendon McIntosh WellSouth Population Health Pharmacist presents a second session on medications in Invercargill.
