News from our partners: Health and social care leaders campaign to help prevent Diabetes

News from our partners NHS Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

Shropshire health and social care leaders have launched a campaign that encourages people to lead a more active lifestyle and to visit their GP if they are showing signs of type 2 diabetes.

NHS Shropshire CCG is involved in a national initiative called the Healthier You, NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which is a collaboration between NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK.

Type 2 Diabetes prevention

There are currently 3.4 million people with type 2 diabetes in England with around 200,000 new diagnoses every year. While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, and is not linked to lifestyle, type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through lifestyle changes.

Latest statistics show that more than 28,000 people have been diagnosed with diabetes in Shropshire and many could have type 2 diabetes without even knowing it.

Dr Julian Povey, Chair of Shropshire CCG, said:

“Our message is simple, if you think you are showing signs that point towards type 2 diabetes then please visit your GP to check for this condition.

“It’s important to catch the symptoms early so the damage caused by type 2 damage is limited. We also want people to think about their lifestyle and how they could improve it through healthier eating and some form of physical activity. Taking steps to do that now could be the difference between having the condition – and avoiding it completely.”

One of the options open to those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is a referral via the GP to embark on a 10-week programme that provides tailored, personalised help. But patients must meet the specific criteria to be eligible for this.

The main symptoms to look out for concerning type 2 diabetes are:

 Feeling tired during the day (fatigue)
 Often feeling hungry, particularly after eating (polyphagia)
 Urinating more often than normal, particular at night (polyuria)
 Feeling abnormally thirsty (polydipsia)
 Blurred vision
 Itching of the skin
 Slow healing of cuts or wounds
 Having regular yeast infections
 Having a skin disorder such as psoriasis or acanthosis nigricans
 Sudden weight loss or loss of muscle mass.

Most people would be shocked to know that around 22,000 people with diabetes die early
every year. Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working
age and is a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke.

While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and is not linked to lifestyle, type 2 diabetes is
largely preventable through lifestyle changes.

Rob Gittins, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for public health, said:

“Type 2 diabetes can cause serious long-term health problems. However, you can prevent Type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly. If you think you or a family member may be at risk, ask at your GP practice about your local Healthier You service.”

Diabetes Prevention Week runs from 1-7 April 2019.

Further information

NHS Shropshire CCG is responsible for the planning and commissioning (buying) of health and care services from a range of providers for the people of Shropshire. It also has a duty to monitor these services to ensure they provide a high level of care and are value for money.

It is a clinically-led organisation with 41 GP Practices and it provides healthcare services for patients across the county registered with a local GP. The CCG buys a wide range of services  and these include GP and primary care services through to hospital care as well as
community services and mental health services.

The CCG’s head office is based at William Farr House in Shrewsbury.

For further information please call 01743 277500 and ask for the Communications and
Engagement Team or email: shrccg.communicationsteam@nhs.net.