Diabetes education boosted by international recognition

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release

15 November 2013

Diabetes education boosted by international recognition

Diabetes awareness received a boost this week after the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) and the Waikato Regional Diabetes Service gained international recognition for their diabetes education programmes.

The programmes were recognised by the International Diabetes Federation for excellence in providing diabetes training to nurses in the region. This announcement coincides with international Diabetes Awareness Week held now until 18 November.

The diabetes education programmes educates already-practicing nurses to be skilled in the area and incorporate practical and academic-based learning. The programmes include a 12 week short-course and a module within Wintec’s Postgraudate Diploma in Nursing.

Waikato Regional Diabetes Service’s Clinical Nurse Manager, Susie Ryan, says that as the rate of diabetes significantly increases, so has the need for specialist knowledge and skills in the area.

“These programmes are addressing the shortage of specialised diabetes knowledge in the Waikato. This approach is vital if we’re to effectively manage the disease on a national level. It’s fantastic to see primary care organisations in our region having the foresight to support nurses in gaining this knowledge and skill-set,” she says.

Wintec’s Centre for Health and Social Practice, Postgraduate Team Leader, Helen Nielsen says: “Being globally recognised is a significant achievement and a first for us. Through our partnership with the Waikato District Health Board we’ve been able to integrate education and clinical expertise to ensure that our community gets nurses with sound knowledge and practically-based skills in this diabetes."

International Diabetes Federation Chair, Sue McLaughlin, said in a statement to Wintec: “This recognition communicates to the world that you have undergone an external review and have met the educational standards set by the Federation…your on-going work to increase the reach and practice level of health care professionals, enables them to provide quality diabetes education, skills training and support to people with diabetes, their families and caregivers.”

The diabetes programmes were developed and run in-house by Ms Ryan in the mid-1990s in response to concerning diabetes rates. They were later picked up by Wintec’s Centre for Health and Social Practice recognising the need for integrated academic rigour.

More than 170 practicing nurses have completed the Diabetes Care and Management programme and around 70 have gone on to complete the Advanced Diabetes Nursing Practice programme in the midland region.

According to the Ministry of Health website, there are currently more than 300,000 people living with diabetes and this is set to significantly increase in the coming years.

In the Waikato there are more than 19,000 people living with diabetes and studies suggested that within 20 years, 20% of Waikato’s adult population will have pre-diabetes or diabetes.

-ENDS-

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