Forté Health donates Award winnings to Diabetes Christchurch

Ask Lynne Taylor about Forté Health’s new diabetes initiative and she’s all smiles.

“It’s a dream world they’ve implemented – it’s just unbelievable.”

Lynne is the Manager of Diabetes Christchurch, a local organisation that provides education and support to those living with diabetes. It’s also the proud recipient of a $1,500 donation from Forté Health, following Forté’s win at the New Zealand Private Surgical Hospitals Association’s ‘Leaders in Quality’ Award.

Forté won the Award for its shared-care approach to diabetes management. As part of the Award Dorothy Gelens, who spearheaded the project for Forté Health, received $1,500 prize money.

“It feels right to use the prize money to help those living with diabetes and what better way to achieve that than by supporting the fabulous work of Diabetes Christchurch,” says Dorothy, Post Anaesthetic Care Unit Manager at Forté Health.

Forté’s diabetes initiative puts patients at the centre of their own diabetes management while in hospital with a shared-care plan that includes all those involved in the patient’s care. Forté Health is the first hospital in New Zealand to adopt this innovative new approach.

Lynne Taylor says when she heard about what Forté is doing, she couldn’t believe it.

“What Dorothy and her team have implemented is amazing. It’s putting the patient first, something we’ve been advocating for across our healthcare system, and Dorothy and the Forté team have just gone and done it. It really is fabulous, and the fact that they’ve given their prize money to us is the icing on the cake,” says Lynne.

Forté Health CEO Rachel Hillyer says what Dorothy and her team achieved is a testament to their commitment to Forté’s values of innovation and patient-centred care.

“We are delighted Dorothy’s vision, determination and hard work has been recognised through this Award and are proud to be able to use it to continue to make a difference for patients with diabetes,” says Rachel.

Here is more information about Forté’s new approach to diabetes management.

Image above: Dorothy Gelens from Forté Health presenting Lynne Taylor with the donation for Diabetes Christchurch.