Timelines needed for QIP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 February 2008

Timelines needed for QIP

Diabetes New Zealand welcomes the release of the national Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Quality Improvement Plan. The national organisation for people affected by diabetes agrees with the Ministry of Health that this is an important step towards finalising a nationally accepted programme for dealing with these serious health problems but would like to see timelines for action.

‘The plan has strategies that will improve health outcomes for people affected by diabetes and cardio vascular disease,’ acknowledges Diabetes New Zealand president Mike Smith. ‘We want to move forward on this and get timelines for what will be done and when it will be done.’

Diabetes New Zealand would like urgency on the implementation of the detailed QIP recommendations and action plans and a commitment for funding.

‘Adequate resourcing and effective monitoring are essential here. Any programme needs to be regularly monitored to ensure that the required health outcomes are being achieved.

‘We also want early prioritisation of those other issues identified in but not specifically addressed by the QIP, such as workforce development, diabetes self-management education, diabetes in pregnancy and Type 1 diabetes in adults,’ says Mike Smith. ‘Practical actions are needed with clear timelines, steps and outcomes.’

ENDS