Diabetes Services
Diabetes education, retinal eye screening and personalised support for people living with diabetes and their whānau.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in New Zealand. For many people it can be managed and prevented by following a healthy lifestyle. For people living with diabetes, the right education and support can help manage the condition and reduce the risk of complications. Comprehensive Care provides free diabetes education and retinal eye screening services to support people living with diabetes and their whānau.
Free Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME)
Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is a free programme for people with type 2 diabetes. It provides practical information and support to help you understand diabetes, manage your health and improve your wellbeing.
What You Will Learn
Sessions are led by a registered nurse educator and the wider health team. Topics include:
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Healthy eating, including label reading, fats and everyday food choices
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Physical activity and managing stress
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Diabetes medications, how they work and the options available
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Blood test results and what they mean
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How diabetes can affect your eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves and feet
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Ways to reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications
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Goal setting, action planning and the free support available after the course
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How to get the best support from your healthcare team
Diabetes Retinal Eye Screening
Looking after your eye health is an important part of managing diabetes. Comprehensive Care provides a free retinal screening service that checks for early signs of diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-related eye changes before they affect your vision.
What to Expect
Your appointment will take around 30 minutes. The screening is quick, painless and non-invasive.
Detailed digital photographs are taken of the retina at the back of your eyes. After your screening, a written report will be sent to you and your GP. We encourage you to discuss your results with your GP at your next appointment.
Please note that retinal screening checks are specifically for diabetes-related changes. It does not replace regular eye health checks or vision tests for glasses.
How to Access the Service
The service is funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and is available at 14 community locations across North and West Auckland.
The service is available by referral only. If you have diabetes and are eligible for screening, your GP or practice nurse can refer you.
Personalised Dietitian Support
After completing a group DSME course, people with type 2 diabetes can request a free one-on-one consultation with a registered dietitian.