Diabetes Prevention

Diabetes is a growing concern in the UK. As well as the direct consequences of diabetes to the quality of life, it is also a major contributor to life threatening conditions such as kidney failure, heart attack and stroke.

There are currently five million people in England at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. By 2034, one in three people will be obese and one in 10 will develop type 2 diabetes. However, for many of these people, diabetes is preventable.

Healthier You: The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP) started in 2016 with the specific task of helping at-risk people reduce their chances of developing the disease. Those referred to the nine-month programme will receive personalised help to reduce their risk, including education on health eating and lifestyle, help to lose weight and bespoke physical exercise programmes.

Diabetes is a priority area for the NHS, due to its impact on the population and NHS services. It is estimated that five million people in England are at high risk of type 2 diabetes with an estimated 1.5 million people at risk in the Midlands & East alone. There are three work streams dedicated to diabetes:

The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
Diabetes Treatment and Care
Digital

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) will identify those at high risk and refer them onto a behaviour change programme. The Programme provides face to face support for patients at risk of developing diabetes, participants learn how to incorporate healthier eating, physical activity, problem-solving and coping skills into their daily lives.

Information Leaflet about NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme in Essex

Making simple food swaps and changing to a healthier lifestyle can massively reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Check out the NHS Change4Life website now or download the app on Google Play or App Store.

How to Register

If you have been told you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, are registered at a GP practice in Essex and haven’t already been referred to the programme, you can ask your GP, nurse or NHS Health Check professional to refer you.

You can also register for the programme online by visiting the Healthier You: DPP website. please note: you will need a letter from your GP that confirms you are at risk of type 2 diabetes and are able to register for the programme. You will need the following information contained in the letter to complete the registration process:

Your NHS number
Your latest HbA1c or FPG reading, including the date
Your GP surgery name