KEY POINTS:
The Government's main scheme for controlling diabetes has been criticised by the Auditor-General's office.
In a report published yesterday, the state-sector watchdog says that none of the six district health boards it sampled in its audit of the Get Checked programme knew how many people were diagnosed with diabetes in their area.
Under the scheme, people with diabetes are entitled to an annual state-funded check-up from a GP or diabetes nurse.
Set up in 2001, the scheme's main aims are to help people who are diagnosed with diabetes to manage the disease better and to lower the risks of complications, which include kidney disease, blindness and limb amputations.
Health Minister Pete Hodgson last year pointed to a doubling of enrolments in the scheme's first five years, which he said was pleasing.
But last night it emerged that while the numbers with diagnosed diabetes and using Get Checked have both increased, the number of people having the check-ups has not kept pace, slipping back to 50 per cent on updated 2006 estimates.
Diabetes New Zealand says the scheme should be reaching 80 per cent. The ministry's new 2006 diagnosed diabetes estimate is 160,000 people. It believes a further 80,000 have it without knowing.
The Auditor-General's report on Get Checked, based on a survey of six health boards and a selection of primary health organisations within those districts, found the programme had improved aspects of diabetes management.
But it said boards needed to identify those diagnosed so the programme's coverage could be accurately assessed.
Mr Hodgson last night welcomed the Auditor-General's recommendations.
