The Endocrine, Diabetes & Research Centre is headed by Prinicpal Investigator Dr Jeremy Krebs, supported by sub-investigators Dr Elaine Barrington-Ward and Dr Esko Wiltshire and Diabetes Research Projects Manager, Cecilia Ross.

There is a dedicated team of research staff:

• Pip Cresswell - Diabetes Nurse Trial Coordinator
• Alana Gould - Diabetes Nurse Trial Coordinator
• Margaret  Ward - Diabetes Nurse Trial Coordinator
• Cheryl Maister - Research Assistant 

We run a variety of research studies with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, aimed to help better understand and treat diabetes.

An epidemic of type 2 diabetes is occurring in New Zealand, as in other developed countries, driven mainly by demographic trends and the increase in prevalence of obesity. For the New Zealand population as a whole, type 2 diabetes peaks at ages 60-64, and overall incidence is thought to be 3-4%.

The prevalence of diabetes is higher among Maori and Pacific peoples and complications more severe. About half the population of people with diabetes is thought to be undiagnosed. Finally, the estimated number of people in New Zealand with diagnosed diabetes is predicted to increase substantially in the next 20 years from 115,000 to over 160,000.

Overall, diabetes is an ever increasing disease and at the Endocrine, Diabetes & Research Centre we aim to contribute to national and international research that is being done to gain a better understanding of diabetes and diabetes therapies. 

We are currently looking for volunteers for a number of different research studies. Eligibility criteria vary between the studies. You may or may not be eligible depending on:

• your age
• medications
• other more specific reasons which we discuss with you.

Diabetes Research is located at the Endocrine, Diabetes & Research Centre, Level 5, Grace Neill Block, Wellington Regional Hospital.

To get to the Endocrine, Diabetes & Research Centre, enter off Riddiford Street and park under the new hospital:

• take the orange lift to Level 3
• turn right when you get out of the lift. At the end of the corridor you can see the Grace Neill Block (GNB) link bridge diagonally across the foyer on your left
• walk across the bridge and take the yellow lift to Level 5.

Alternatively, there is a drop-off point and limited parking outside the Grace Neill Block (GNB) accessed via Hospital Road.

If you arrive by bus at the new hospital entrance on Riddiford Street, walk into the atrium and the orange lift is visible on your right.

Please click here  for directions of how to find us.

Please find below information and links to current research studies we are involved in:

TECOS 
TECOS is a clinical Trial to Evaluate Cardiovascular Outcomes after Treatment with Sitagliptin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Inadequate Glycemic Control.

Have you been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease?

• Have you had a stroke or heart attack in the past?
• Are you at least 50 years old?
• Are you on 1 or 2 oral medications to lower your blood sugar that have remained unchanged for the last 3 months?

SEPTH Trial

This study is in search of the most effective protocol to treat hypoglycaemia in Type 1 diabetes. It is a randomised controlled trial testing 3 different hypoglycaemia treatment protocols to rate the efficacy at relieving symptoms in adolescents and adults with Type 1 diabetes. We are looking for volunteers with Type 1 diabetes who have hypoglycaemia episodes at least once per month (or more frequently).

You need only come in for a single visit and then post back the data recorded of 15 hypoglycaemia episodes. We will provide you with an AccuCheck Nano glucometer and strips, a stop watch, and Dextro tabs for treating hypos recorded for the study.