Specialty - Diabetes
Overview
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either due to the body producing too much or not enough insulin. Some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes present as always being tired, crave extra liquids, frequent urination, numbness and tingling of feet, always hungry and unexplained weight loss. There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is less common than Type 2.
This is a result of when the body does not produce enough or fails to produce insulin.
Type 2 diabetes makes up about 90% or more of those with diabetes.
This is a result of insulin resistance, which is when cells fail to use insulin properly.
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.
Gestational diabetes is when pregnant women, who have never had diabetes before have high blood glucose levels during pregnancy.
Patient expectations
If your problem is not acute, your GP/Referrer will request an appointment in the outpatient clinic if they are concerned about your condition and feel that you require a specialist opinion. One of our Specialists will review the referral letter and assign a priority based on the information provided.
Very urgent cases are usually seen within a few weeks, but other cases may have to wait a longer time. However each month we receive more referrals than can be actually seen. Information regarding the waiting times can be obtained by selecting the link under “Waiting Times” below.
The specialist may organise an investigation/tests rather than arranging a clinic appointment so that further information can be obtained about your condition. This may result in either an appointment or a letter to your GP/Referrer with recommendations regarding your condition.
Consultants
Mr Kingsley Nirmalaraj
Referral / First Specialist Assessment
A threshold for FSA referral acceptance has been set to assist with MOH waiting time compliance.
Waiting Times
Contact Details
Postal: Referral Receipt Centre, BOPDHB, Private Bag 12024, Tauranga 3142
Fax: 07 578 9571
Phone: 0800 333 477