New, friendly environment for diabetes service

New, friendly environment for diabetes service

Patients attending clinics and education classes at North Shore Hospital’s Diabetes Service should feel more at home when they visit the service from today (subs: Thurs August 14).

As part of the $60 million upgrade of the hospital, the diabetes service has relocated to a stand-alone facility separate from the main hospital block.

Formerly known as Spectrum House, the facility is located behind the hospital’s patient car park and has been refurbished to meet the service’s needs.

Diabetes Service manager Pat Carlton says the move to a new facility offers the chance to provide patient care outside the normal hospital setting.

“For some patients the fear of entering a hospital is a barrier to accessing the diabetes service. Our new facility is less clinical and a much more friendly, less threatening environment.

“This ties in with our self-management philosophy. Our diabetes team promotes the philosophy that people with diabetes are not sick. However, they do have a condition that they must learn to manage to maintain good health. Self-care is an important part of their treatment plan, and education and support is the key to enable them to do this.”

Mrs Carlton says another advantage for patients is easy access from the patient car park, which is directly outside the entrance to the service.

The diabetes service sees about 8000 patients a year from north and west Auckland as well as from Rodney.

Services provided include diabetes education and management, clinical consultation, retinal screening for diabetes-related eye problems and a podiatry service.

The former diabetes facility, located next to the Ward 11 entrance, will be redeveloped into new offices and consulting rooms for MHSOP (Mental Health Services for Older People) and Outreach.

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