Living well with long term health conditions: What support looks like at QMC

Living with a long term condition can be part of your health story, but it doesn’t define you. Many people manage ongoing conditions while working, raising families, travelling, and living full lives. What makes the biggest difference is having the right support around you.

At QMC, long term condition care is shaped around what you need. Whether you’re managing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions like asthma, gout, or a severe and enduring mental health condition, our team is here to help you live well with a long term condition.

‍A Team Working Together for You 🤝

Your care plan is built around your condition, your lifestyle, and your goals. You might see:

• A nurse for annual checks and routine monitoring
• A GP for medication reviews or new symptoms
• Members of the wider health team if referrals are helpful

We also work closely with external services when needed. This can include dieticians, podiatry, community support, home help assessments, or funded WellSouth programmes for people living with or at risk of type 2 diabetes.

If you meet criteria for funded support, our team will let you know, you don’t need to figure this out on your own.

Continuity of Care Matters 🧡

Living with a long term condition is easier when you have clinicians who know you and understand your health history. At QMC, we encourage patients to have one or two GPs they feel comfortable seeing. This helps keep your care consistent, supports long‑term monitoring, and makes it easier to spot changes early.

You may still see different members of our team when needed, but your care plan stays connected. Notes, results, and updates are connected across your clinical team so your care remains coordinated, even if you see someone different on the day.

If you want to get to know our doctors better read their bios here: www.qmc.co.nz/about/meet-the-team

Do I Need to Do Anything to Get Support?

No. Most patients simply book their usual GP appointment.

Many long term conditions are identified during routine care. If you already have a known condition, your GP or nurse may recognise that you’re eligible for additional support. You’re also welcome to ask if you think you may meet the criteria for funded appointments, though availability depends on strict eligibility requirements and current capacity.

What to Expect at Your Appointment 📄

If you’re coming in to talk about your long term condition, bringing any recent test results, medication changes, or letters from other providers can be helpful. This allows the team to check that important screenings and reviews haven’t been missed.

From there, we’ll work with you to build a care plan that fits your needs. You may see different members of the team over time, depending on what’s most helpful for your health.

Long Term Conditions We Commonly Support

Some examples of long term conditions we help patients manage include:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Severe and enduring mental health conditions
• Respiratory conditions such as asthma
• Gout

If you’re unsure whether your condition is considered long term, you can always ask during your appointment.

Living Well, With Support Behind You 🌿

Managing a long term condition is easier when you have a team who knows you, understands your health history, and checks in regularly. At QMC, we’re here to help you stay well, catch issues early, and make sure your care fits your life.

If you think you may benefit from long term condition support, or you’re unsure where to start, simply book your usual GP appointment. We’ll guide the next steps.

Learn more about Long Term Condition support at QMC here: www.qmc.co.nz/services/long-term-conditions

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