Programmes and Services

Direct funding and tailored services to strengthen equitable care 
 

In addition to Health New Zealand funding, Comprehensive Care provides the following funded programmes and services to help your practice deliver timely, equitable care: 

• Care Plus: additional funding and care planning for patients with complex needs. 

• Services to Improve Access (SIA): targeted services that reduce barriers for high‑need populations. 

• Refugees and Asylum Seekers: dedicated primary care enrolment and support for new arrivals. 

• Palliative Care: coordinated primary care and flexible funding for end‑of‑life support. 

• Asthma – GASP (Giving Airways Support to Patients): education and action plans to improve asthma control. 

• Cardiovascular and Diabetes Risk Assessment (CVDRA): funded risk checks delivered in general practice. 

• Diabetes Improvement Package (DIP): resources and support to lift diabetes quality and outcomes. 

• Bowel Screening Programme (BSP): invitations, recalls and follow‑up to increase screening coverage. 

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Screening: outreach and screening to improve equity and coverage. 

• Podiatry Services: subsidised foot care for eligible patients, including those with diabetes. 

• Lifestyle Options (mental health): brief counselling for people with low to moderate needs. 

• Diabetes Self‑Management Education (DSME): practical education for people with type 2 diabetes and whānau. 

Brief, evidence-based care and culturally tailored support for patients 

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We support our communities with mental health and wellbeing needs through in‑practice and funded options. We provide brief, evidence‑based care for people with low to moderate needs, making support accessible and outcome‑focused. This care is delivered in‑practice where Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) and Health Coaches (HCs) are present, and via funded Lifestyle Options: 

• Funded mental health options: In practice (HIPs/HCs where available) and Lifestyle Options (for eligible patients, up to four counselling sessions or up to four GP-initiated mental health support appointments). 

• Managing Mood Group: A 13-week skills-building group programme (self-management, coping strategies) in a supportive setting. 

• Asian Health Services: Tailored counselling for youth (12–24 years), adults and couples; international student wellbeing; Asian smokefree support; and community engagement and parenting support (including a teen mental wellbeing programme).

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Clinician training, patient education and referral pathways to improve outcomes 

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We help practices and their patients better manage long-term conditions through targeted clinician training, patient education and clear referral pathways. 

• Clinician Education: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes training available via the Tāku Ako platform. 

• Diabetes Self‑Management Education (DSME): Free group sessions for eligible patients with type 2 diabetes and their whānau. 

• Funding and Referral Support: Guidance on funded services and referral pathways such as Diabetes Retinal Screening and health promotion initiatives like Green Prescription (GRx). 

Upskilling your team with practical, practice-ready training 

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We provide educational opportunities for all practice staff—free for Comprehensive Care member practices. With 60+ courses and 4,000+ completions, Tāku Ako helps teams strengthen clinical skills, knowledge, meet mandatory requirements and improve patient care. 

• Tāku Ako courses: free modules including CPR and core primary care topics. 

• Foundation Standard support and practice management training to strengthen compliance and efficiency. 

• Role‑specific training delivered online and in person for GPs, NPs, nurses, practice managers and admin teams. 

• Leading education in asthma, cardiovascular disease and diabetes to lift quality and coverage in priority conditions.