22/08/2019 - Permalink

News from our partners: Patient praise for new initiative to tackle Diabetes

Related topics:

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

Shropshire patients have praised a national initiative that helps to reduce the chances of getting Type 2 diabetes after it changed their lives.

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, run in partnership with NHS Shropshire CCG, NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK, provides eligible patients with information on how to improve their lifestyles and prevent the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

Shropshire patients Evette Mottram and Ruth Ellis who were referred onto the programme by their GPs have both witnessed life changing results.

Evette from Oswestry and Ruth from Weston Rhyn were both at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and therefore entered onto the programme. They were given personalised action plans and attended sessions which included advice on managing the risk.

The 10-month Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme covers healthy eating and lifestyle choices, help to lose weight as well as information about physical exercise and staying active.

Evette said:

“My blood levels showed that I was at very high risk of having Type 2 diabetes, in fact I was practically diabetic. I was referred to the programme and it was such a relief to have someone to simplify all the information and debunk the myths.

“I thought I had a relatively healthy diet because I chose low fat yoghurt, diet drinks and only had chocolate occasionally. However, my group educator pointed out that low fat yoghurt has more sugar in it. It was all there on the label.”

Ruth said:

“As part of the programme, you attend a group and learn a lot about Type 2 diabetes, the different effects food has and what lifestyle changes you can make. I found it a great incentive as I wanted to prove I could lose weight and get healthier. The group has sparked my willpower, and I’m going to keep going.”

 

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.

To be referred by your GP to the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme you must:

  • Be aged 18 years or over
  • Not pregnant
  • Not have a blood result confirming a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes
  • Have had a non-diabetic hyperglycaemia reading within the last 12 months

This programme is delivered in the Shropshire region by Ingeus, a leading health services provider.

Dr Julian Povey, Chair of Shropshire CCG, said:

“I am thrilled to hear the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is having such positive results. The fact that the programme provides tailor-made advice to help patients eat healthier, lose weight and understand the effects of different foods is great.

“A better awareness of the causes and prevention of Type 2 diabetes are big steps forwards in helping people to avoid the condition completely.”