Nearly 63,000 more Aucklanders assessed for health risks

Nearly 63,000 more Aucklanders assessed for health risks

Thanks to dedication from ProCare’s network of general practices nearly 63,000 more Aucklanders have been assessed for cardiovascular and diabetes, giving patients a better understanding of their health risks.

In the last three months, the ProCare network has completed additional 62,973 cardiovascular and diabetes risk assessments, with 151 practices achieving or exceeding the Ministry of Health’s screening target of 75% of eligible patients. ProCare screened 80% of its eligible population. The network has undertaken just under 136,000 interventions across national health targets since December 2012, helping more than 105,000 patients gain a better understanding of their health so that they can take action if needed.

ProCare Clinical Director Dr John Cameron says that knowing your cardiovascular risk is an important first step. “Patient care is at the core of the work that general practice does and is the overarching aim of clinical screening. In the case of cardiovascular assessments it is possible to identify patients who can be saved from premature cardiac events, a message that is successfully amplified through the public education efforts of the Heart Foundation.”

“Screening helps health professionals recognise people who should be targeted for intervention which is why ProCare supports the Ministry of Health’s drive to identify high risk individuals ”, says Dr Cameron.

Cardiovascular disease, especially when accompanied with diabetes, remains New Zealand’s leading cause of preventable premature death.

ProCare project coordinator Kylie Ormrod says the majority of assessments were conducted by GPs and nurses in just a three month period, something that shows the benefit of a collaborative approach: “It’s an excellent outcome that really proves what a primary healthcare network can achieve for the benefit of its patient population, with the right support; which in this case included backing by the three Auckland’s District Health Boards.”

Dr Cameron stresses that the focus on improving health assessment rates needs to continue: “We will use lessons learnt to improve other health outcomes, especially smoking cessation. It’s not over yet.”

Ends.

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