Over three quarters of CCGs apply for NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme was launched by NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK in March 2015, with the aim of targeting patients at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and helping them to change their lifestyles to prevent this.

The initial trial was run at seven different sites, and now 168 CCGS, in partnership with 132 local authorities, have submitted 66 joint expressions of interest to become part of the programme.

NHS England has issued a Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire to secure services for wave one of the national roll out. The questionnaire is the first phase of the procurement process to determine which service providers have the capacity and experience to deliver the behaviour change programme.

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Obesity and Diabetes, said: “We are very pleased at the amount of interest we have had from commissioners to become wave one sites for national roll-out.

“Having seen the level of interest it heightens our confidence that across the country we can deliver an effective programme which will prevent or delay people at high risk of type 2 diabetes from developing it.

“The Programme offers a great opportunity for health and local government to work well together, make a big impact and really change people’s lives for the better.”