Hawke's Bay District Health Board says it decided not to renew the contract for a specialist diabetes service because it was not value for money.
A public campaign has been launched to get the board to review the decision to end the GPSI diabetes service run by GP Janet Titchener.
Chief medical officer Mark Peterson said it is not sensible for one service to be given $150,000 funding and benefit about 100 patients.
He said other specialist diabetes services see nearly 13 times as many patients at nowhere near the same cost per patient.
Dr Peterson said the DHB needs to refocus resources to strengthen the support and knowledge of diabetes care in general practice across Hawke's Bay.
