NHS diabetes prevention programme success

A flagship NHS diabetes prevention scheme has exceeded expectations and succeeded in signing up significantly more people than thought according to a new comprehensive progress report.

The report, Progress of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme: referrals, uptake and participant characteristics, is co-authored by experts from NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK. It charts the positive impact made by the prevention programme during the early phase of its roll-out.

The report, which has been published in leading academic health journal, Diabetic Medicine, found that the programme received 43,603 referrals between June 2016 and March 2017 - 16 per cent higher than expected - and nearly half of those referred to attended their first session - again more than the 40 per cent originally planned for.

The report also found that attendance rates for men, people from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, and individuals from the most deprived areas, suggest that the programme is reaching those who are at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and who typically access healthcare less effectively.

Further analysis of the programme by NHS England and Public Heath England reveals that the encouraging trends reported in Diabetic Medicine have continued - with an additional 70,000 people referred since March. In total there have been more than 110,000 referrals to date.

In the last 18 months the roll-out has covered three quarters of the country so that people already identified to be at risk can get the support they need and almost 50,000 have taken advantage and started an assessment - with at least 5,000 people taking up places each month. The aim is to achieve full national coverage next year, with as many as 200,000 people referred and 80,000 on programmes in 2018/19.

Those referred to on the face-to-face programme get tailored, personalised help, such as education on lifestyle choices, advice on how to reduce weight through healthier eating and bespoke physical activity programme — which together are proven to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The programme recently launched digital support to patients so no more than 5,000 people are expected to benefit from a pilot project.

It will see five companies and eight areas of the country test drive a range of apps, gadgets, wristbands and other innovative digital products.

Jonathan Valabhji, NHS England’s national clinical director for obesity and diabetes, said: “The growing obesity epidemic and the associated rising numbers with Type 2 diabetes are a public health crisis and cost the health service billions every year. The early signs from the programme are positive and across the majority of England, people at high risk of Type 2 can now get help through our prevention programme, with more than 110,000 people referred already and attendance rates clearly showing that the programme is reaching those that need it most.”

Jenifer Smith, programme director at Public Health England, said: “Although early days it is very encouraging to see the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme performance exceeding our expectations, based on the experience documented in the scientific literature. We recognise those taking up this offer are making a significant personal commitment; so we are exploring all options to make this as accessible as possible, including the use of digital technology.”

Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “With millions of people at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, it’s essential that we do everything we can to prevent it before it develops. That’s why the work of the Diabetes Prevention Programme is so important in our fight against the growing diabetes crisis.

“It is particularly encouraging to see the programme reaching higher-than-expected numbers of men, and people from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) communities. These are groups that, despite being associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, are not being reached effectively by commercial weight management programmes.

“The programme has made a strong start in its first year, and we look forward to understanding the longer term impact it makes in reducing the enormous burden of Type 2 diabetes on the health of the nation.”