MEDIA STATEMENT
March 20 2014
2000 Diabetic Patients to benefit from Titchener Teaching
More than 2000 Hawke’s Bay people with diabetes aim to benefit within the first year of a new education pilot programme
developed by the supporters of the GPSI Diabetes Service.
Lowe Corporation and Totara Health announced today they are working together to deliver a positive outcome for people
with diabetes, particularly high needs patients, through clinical and public education.
Lowe Corporation’s Andy Lowe said the group was determined that Hawke’s Bay would not lose one of its greatest assets in
winning the war against diabetes.
“We are committed to helping Hawke’s Bay become a stronger and a more educated region in preventing and fighting
diabetes.
“We have to listen to patients and doctors. We support and agree with their call to expand and grow a model that uses a
patient centered approach within a primary care setting, learning from Dr Titchener.
“The GPSI service has proven it works, has delivered outstanding long-term results and has been life changing for
patients. It has closed the gap in diabetes for Maori
“We all acknowledge there is only one Janet Titchener, she can not do it alone. So we are going to invest in offering
clinical training for doctors and nurses where they can learn from her skills and knowledge, and in doing so reach a lot
more patients,” said Mr Lowe.
The partnership between Lowe Corporation and Totara Health will be a 12 month pilot programme involving general
practices. The aim will be to reach more than 2000 patients who have diabetes with Dr Titchener providing “on the job”
patient training with general practitioners and nurses as well as a series of community education evenings.
The education model will be similar to a successful education programme that is currently running at Totara Health where
Dr Titchener is sharing her knowledge with its 15 doctors and 17 nurses as they work with patients with diabetes.
Totara’s Managing Director Howard Dickson said Dr Titchener had a unique knowledge and skill set around diabetes and is
an outstanding educator of doctors, nurses and patients.
Family doctors and nurses working in Hawke’s Bay and their patients would benefit hugely from being able to continue to
access Dr Titchener’s skills as part of the region’s overall response to diabetes.
“This education solution retains Dr Titchener’s talents in diabetes care and will help Hawkes’ Bay as it prepares to
support and treat the growing number of people who will get diabetes,” Mr Dickson said.
Mr Lowe said Put Patients First will be watching how the DHB progresses with a diabetic clinical pathway and will
actively contribute in the public consultation process to ensure it is in the best interests of patients and provides
education and choices.
Dr Titchener said this is an exciting opportunity to expand what GPSI Diabetes has achieved over the past eight years.
“For several years now we, have been working hard to try and enable expansion of the clinical service into an
educational service.
“I am extremely appreciative of the efforts and work of patients and all of our supports who have rallied together and
the generosity of Lowe Corporation and the Totara Health for working on a way forward.
“GPSI Diabetes has an approach that has proven itself over and over. It not only produces immediate improvements in
peoples diabetes care, but also empowers people to self-manage their own diabetes so that the improvements are long
term. And this has been true regardless of ethnicity or type of diabetes.
“I have no doubt that the people with diabetes in Hawkes Bay are going to be equally pleased with this great outcome.”
Put Patients First will be holding a meeting for patients and supporters on the new education pilot and the DHB’s
position for diabetes.
A public meeting with patients is being organised and details will be advised once a date has been confirmed.
Dr Titchener will also continue to offer her service to private patients.
ENDS