booty

Hi all, thinking of moving to NZ under skilled shortage with my OH and 4 kids, one of my children is diabetic and I am concered about the health care provided, any one have any advice? Whats it like for teenagers out there?
HELP xx

mazi

Sorry to hear your child has Diabetes; I had a Kiwi friend with the same and she seemed to get the care she needed - BUT I don't know if that was because she was Kiwi.

I'm sorry I can't answer your Q about what it is like generally for teenagers.

dreamfish

hate to throw a spanner in the works but i am sure you have already looked into this. what is the medical advice from NZIS regarding diabetes? i thought it was a condition on their list of no nos - altho I could be thinking of type 1.

booty

Thanks for reply, looked into this and could not find any mention as a no no, only certain conditions aply, diabetes is not mentioned, I will have to ring them direct I guess, thanks anyway

dreamfish

you know i think i am wrong - i am sorry if that post caused any worry. this is the page you want to read about health matters:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...vember2005.htm

and you're right there is nothing there. where on earth i have got that from i dont know!

markl

this is 1 time on site, just to let you know i am doing same process and when
went for medicals i found out i was diabetic type 2.I had to have extra reports done by approved consultents,then nz panel Drs said ok.Ithink
if not giving big problems you should be ok

Batty

Hi. There might be something you need to look into ..... my brother's a diabetic so I'm always interested when I see anything written about it... I think there's an issue in NZ with medication. I can't remember what it was exactly but either the insulin available in the UK is not available here OR it's not subsidised. It was a couple of years ago that I saw this so it may not even be relevant anymore but you should probably just check to make sure??

tom's mum

Hi, If you emigrate on a permanent visa you are entitled to the same health care and benefits as any Kiwi. I am a type 2 diabetic. Not all diabetic medication is subsidised. The glucostix cost $15 per carton but I can get them from the diabetic society for $1.50. I can find out if your medication is subsidised if you send me the details in a pm. I am a nurse here. Because I do not use needles and syringes I am unaware of the costs but again cam find out if you want me to. Hope this helps?

booty

Thanks for taking the time to reply, my daughter has type 1 diabetes. She is a on Insulatard and Humalog twice a day with syringes. She does not have any problems and is pretty well contolled. The amount she has varies as she is a teenager and still growing. Dont expect her to have any worries about it but I am wondering how you go about getting hold of insulin etc. Here she has 3 monthly hospital appointments and just gets her supplies free of charge from the GP. Thought there might be a charge in NZ but not sure how to find out what care is given. Its just an added concern if we do go ahead and move out there but we have travelled overseas many times with out any problems.
Seems like a good idea but so many things to look into, hoping for a new life experience, how you finding it, my husband is a maths teacher so hopfully he should be able to get a visa under skills shortage
Once again thanks for reply

eeagles

Hi there,
We're applying to go to NZ too, and my husband has Type 1 diabetes (for about 25 years). I haven't heard of it being a problem as it is a controllable disease and most live a pretty healthy, normal life, apart from having to inject 2-3 times a day. My husband's sessions at the clinic always result in him being told he's fitter than most non-diabetics and that he's in very good health. Apart from needing insulin (which we'd pay for) and a few checks each year, diabetics are not a huge drain on a country's resources, which is the main issue.

..."The usual cost of a visit to a GP (not the reduced rate) is around $45 - $55 (NZ), depending on the doctor. There is no additional charge for a visit to a GP for people from other countries. All people with diabetes in New Zealand are entitled to a free diabetes check with their GP once a year... "

and

"...If you are a resident in New Zealand and on a low income, you will pay $3.00 for each prescription item for a three-month supply. For example if you are taking two different types of insulin, you will pay $6.00 for a three-month supply of your insulin. Other New Zealand residents (on a middle or high income) pay $15.00 for each prescription item for a three-month supply. The charge for a non-resident (unless for an emergency supply and coming from a reciprocal country ie Australia, UK, etc) will be NSS, or Not Subsidised and the full cost of the medicine will apply."

Ref: http://www.diabetes.org.nz/info/visitors.html

Elaine

tom's mum

Hi Booty,

Both Insulatard and Humalog are subsidised medicines so will cost either $15 or $3 per prescription, depending on if you are a low income family or not. Syringes are also subsidised and will cost the same. Most diabetics are reviewed by the diabetic nurse specialist and these appointments are free of charge, unlike visiting the doctor. The prescriptions would be available from your GP. I have only been to see the Diabetic consultant at the hospital once. The nurse liases with him regarding medication etc.

Good luck with the application and job hunting etc. Feel free to shout if you have any other questions.

Helen