What is the "Get Checked" programme?
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All people in New Zealand with diabetes are entitled to a free diabetes check with their GP or GP practice nurse once a year. Your GP will put you on a recall system to remind you when your check is due.
The free check serves several purposes. Firstly it acts as a reminder to both yourself and your GP that nothing important has been missed out of your diabetes care for the year. Another important function of the free annual check is to collect nation-wide information about the numbers of people with diabetes and the state of their health.
As part of your check-up, you and your GP or practice nurse need to completely fill out a special form. To complete the form you need to have had all the following checks or tests either done or booked to be done:
- A diabetes eye check (check of your retinas) within the last two years
- Your blood pressure checked
- An HBA1c level done (this checks your average blood glucose levels over the previous six weeks)
- Your cholesterol levels checked
- Your height and weight checked
- Your kidney function checked
- Many doctors and nurses will also check the sensation and circulation of your feet at this check