Hon Tony Ryall MP
National Party Health Spokesman

19 June 2007

Diabetes ‘Get Checked’ scheme panned

The Government is struggling to get even the basics right in its ‘Diabetes Get Checked’ programme, says National’s Health spokesman Tony Ryall.

The annual check-up for people with diabetes has been severely criticised in an Auditor General's report released today.

“The Government’s ‘Diabetes Get Checked’ programme is failing in key areas,” says Mr Ryall.

"There's no reliable data on how many people are getting care or what that care is.

"The Auditor General says he can't say if the programme is making a difference or not.

“Incredibly, according to the Auditor General none of the DHBs could say how many people in their districts had been diagnosed with diabetes. They couldn’t even identify people eligible to take part in the programme.

“The report found a limited ability to measure progress towards targets, and that DHBs were unable to evaluate quality of care plans against acceptable standards.

“Perhaps one of the most telling points of the report is the number of recommendations by the auditors – five major recommendations to improve the quality and thirteen recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the programme.

“Despite the Labour Government pouring millions of dollars into ‘Get Checked’, New Zealand is failing to make in-roads into diabetes.

“What's needed is an improved focus on the outcomes for diabetics rather than ticking the box for having an appointment. DHBs also need to use this information to improve their services.

“This report is another indictment on the lack of leadership from the Health Minister, who continues to show he can’t even get the basics right.”

ENDS

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