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Auckland DHB Diabetes Centre

Public Service

Description

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of conditions which cause high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This is primarily because the pancreas (an organ at the back of the abdomen) is not producing any or enough insulin. In many instances, especially where people are overweight, there is also resistance to insulin’s action in many body cells, particularly in the liver and muscle.
 
There are two main types – Type 1 and Type 2. We see people with both these types, as well as some less common causes. There is currently no known cure for either type of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is less common than Type 2 and accounts for around 5 -10% of all cases in the Auckland population. It is an auto-immune condition where the body recognises the pancreas as “foreign” and attacks it. The pancreas thus makes less and less insulin, sometimes none at all. This type can occur at all ages, but is found most commonly in children, adolescents and young adults. People with Type 1 diabetes require regular insulin injections to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. (Insulin cannot be given in tablet form.)
 
Type 2 diabetes makes up about 90% or more of those with diabetes. In this case the pancreas is still producing insulin but the production is reduced and gets progressively less with time. The body is also resistant to the insulin to varying degrees; being overweight is almost always the cause of insulin resistance. Those with Type 2 diabetes usually require lifestyle (weight, dietary and exercise) changes then often tablets. Most people will eventually require insulin injections – even if they comply with diet and exercise.
 
Both of these types of diabetes can cause serious health problems if the blood sugars are not “controlled” i.e. kept as normal as possible.

Potential problems include:

  • Eye damage, called “retinopathy” which can eventually lead to blindness if not treated
  • Kidney damage eventually leading to renal failure and the need for dialysis
  • Foot problems including ulcers, painful feet and, sometimes, amputation
  • Premature heart attacks and strokes.

The good news is that these problems can be largely avoided or delayed by maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, having regular checks of the eyes, kidneys, and feet and for heart risk factors. There are effective treatments for many of these problems if detected early.

If you wish to view information about the Endocrinology service, please click on this link to the ADHB Endocrinology service .

Consultants

Hours

Clinic hours (Monday to Friday) run from 8am to 5pm

Referral Expectations

Appointment Information

What should I expect of my first nurse, dietitian or doctors appointment?
On your first appointment with a nurse, dietitian or doctor you will be asked questions about your own health history and that of your family. This helps us to understand both what your current health problems are and evaluate your risk of future health problems.

Please feel free to write down details and bring them with you.

At this appointment and all subsequent appointments please bring with you:

  • All your medication bottles (or a complete list including doses) 
  • Records of your home blood sugar readings (if you test your sugars at home)
  • If you have received a blood test form: please have these done about 5-10 days before your appointment, the results will then be available for us to discuss with you.

Auckland City Hospital Inpatients
If you are a patient in Auckland City Hospital who needs urgent help with your diabetes during other treatments or other input from our medical or nursing staff, you can be seen as an inpatient. If you are an inpatient but need to be seen less urgently, you may be referred for outpatient follow up in either our Greenlane clinic or at one of the satellite clinics.

Young Adult Clinic
We see young people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes aged 16-25 years. Younger children are being seen by the Starship diabetes team. Our aim is to help our young people attain optimal diabetes management during this busy period in their lives as they move from school into tertiary study or employment.

Appointments
Your appointment at the clinic will depend on what has been requested by your GP, or other referrer, in his/her referral letter. You may either receive a one-off appointment or you will continue to have regular appointments depending on your needs. Your care is shared with your GP who will continue to care for you in the long term, in the community. You will be referred back to the specialists when the need arises. Some people with complex medical needs and problems will be reviewed regularly.


With the exception of retinal screening, appointments for services are made depending on the clinical need and urgency.

 

Care Between Appointments

The nurses at the Diabetes Centre can be contacted between appointments via phone, email or fax, though they do not take calls while seeing other patients. Nurses can often answer questions or help you adjust medication in this manner without the need for a visit.

If your blood sugars are not meeting your targets your nurse may suggest that you send in records of your home blood sugar testing on an occasional basis to help with adjustments in your medication. They will instruct you as to whether you need to test your sugars at home and, if so, what numbers you should be aiming for - this will differ from patient to patient.

IMPORTANT Information
Please have with you, when you call or attend the Centre:

  • Your recent blood glucose results
  • Your medication or an up-to-date list of what you are taking.

How To Help Us, Help You

There are never enough available appointments. If you can't come, please let us know on (09) 630 9950 as soon as possible, so we can use the appointment for someone else.
Cancellations on the day waste valuable time.
Please be on time. We see patients as close to scheduled appointment time as possible - if you are late, you will need to wait until there is a gap.

Services

  • Doctors

    We have a number of specialists and registrars (trainee specialists) who work at the Centre.… More

  • Diabetes Nurse/Duty Nurse/Community Clinics

    Most (although not all) patients who come to the Diabetes Centre will see one of our specialist nurses.… More

  • Diabetes Specialist Dietitian/DAFNE (Type 1 Self Management Course)/Community Satellite Clinics

    We have 3 experienced Diabetes Dietitians, who offer specialist Medical Nutrition Therapy for people with Diabetes. … More PDF

  • Podiatry

    The feet are supplied with blood to keep them healthy.… More

Charges

New Zealand citizens or those who have obtained permanent residence are entitled to publicly funded healthcare. Non-residents may be required to pay for their healthcare. If you were not born in New Zealand and have not previously shown evidence of residency you should bring your passport with you on your first visit to the hospital for verification. You should show your passport to the Cashier's Desk along from the Help Desk on the ground floor. This desk is staffed from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Visiting Hours

Not applicable as this is an outpatient service.

Other

Please click here for information on refreshments, parking and pharmacy facilities available at the Centre, as well as public transport options to the Centre.

Other useful links:

www.diabetesauckland.org.nz

www.diabetes.org.nz

www.realitycheck.org.au

www.diabetesyouth.org.nz

www.footcaresolutions.co.nz

www.nzgg.org.nz

www.moh.govt.nz

www.letsbeatdiabetes.org.nz

Diabetes Nurses

Jennifer Somerville

Marisa Guolo

Tricha Ball

Mele Kaufusi

Melanie Lubeck

Jane Whitta

Faieza Ali Khan

Jane Wilkinson

Bryony Secret

Nicola Hurley (Maternity Leave)

Ji Chen

Diane Bermingham

Lucille Brabant

Cynthia Libalib

Gina Bergham

Sally Levie

Nana Tweneboah-Menasah

Psychologist

Carissa Wilkes

Dietitians

Amy Liu

Kate Ellison

Garren Espin

Podiatrists

Alexandra Noble-Beasley

Jenny Luke

Asia Wirihana

Optometrist

Ros Moffatt

Contact Details

Greenlane Clinical Centre

Central Auckland

  • Phone

    (09) 630 9980 (Diabetes Reception)

  • Fax

    (09) 631-0709

  • Mobile

    IP DNS 021 466667

  • Website

If your communication is for a particular individual please make that clear. If it involves a patient please always quote the NHI NUMBER e.g. ABC1234.

See under "Other" for our team of nurses, podiatrists and dietitians.

Level 1, Building 4
Greenlane Clinical Centre
214 Greenlane Road
Epsom, Auckland

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Street Address

Level 1, Building 4
Greenlane Clinical Centre
214 Greenlane Road
Epsom, Auckland

Postal Address

Greenlane Clinical Centre
PO Box 92189
Victoria Street West
Auckland 1142

This page was last updated at 3:27PM on August 17, 2017. This information is reviewed and edited by Auckland DHB Diabetes Centre.