Chronic conditions are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in New Zealand, causing over 80% of all deaths. This burden is particularly evident in Cardio Vascular Disease, Stroke, COPD and Chronic Heart Failure. The doctors and nurses at Riccarton Clinic work as a team to help patients with these conditions manage and improve.
Chronic illness affects the population worldwide and is the leading cause of death and disability in New Zealand. Chronic disease is also the major cause of premature death around the world, even in places where infectious disease are rampant. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable and most can be effectively controlled.
Our focus is on proactive interventions including treatment and education. There is clinical research which broadly shows that outcomes for patients with chronic disease improve with continuity of care, ie routinely seeing the same medical staff regarding management of your disease (please do not use the walk-in service for routine chronic disease management). In addition to consultations with your doctor you will be assigned a specialist nurse who will assist with patient education and service delivery. Chronic illness has profound effects on a person’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being, which often make it difficult to carry on with daily routines and relationships. These nurse-led clinics have the focus on supporting the patients' efforts and building the capacity of individuals and families to manage the disease effectively. When this occurs disease control increases, health care costs go down, and family well-being improves.
Examples of chronic diseases that Riccarton Clinic's team can assist with are:
Almost half of all people with chronic illness have multiple conditions. Riccarton Clinic is making particular efforts to identify and assist with the management of this group of patients to minimise or eliminate avoidable presentations and admissions to hospital.
