As part of our Long-Term Conditions programme, we’re working with partners in primary care and the community to improve care for people with prediabetes.

Diabetes is a significant cause of sickness and death in Tai Tokerau. It can cause heart disease, circulation problems, kidney failure, eye problems, and leg amputation. Often, by the time a patient notices the symptoms, serious damage has already been done.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. If prediabetes is detected early, making lifestyle changes can reverse it and protect patients from developing diabetes.

Mahitahi Hauora is developing a pilot programme targeting patients with a new diagnosis of prediabetes and overweight. We’re partnering with general practice to design and test the pilot with input from the community.

The pilot programme will be an eight-to-ten week holistic intervention with a focus on weight loss and reducing HbA1c in high-risk populations. Patients are supported by a local kaiawhina, who provides system coordination and navigation. The Clinical Hub diabetes nurse provides clinical oversight.

Once the pilot is complete, we aim to make the prediabetes programme available to eligible patients across Northland.

For more information, please contact our project team.