Since April 2021, nearly 2,000 people from Lancashire and South Cumbria have taken part in a programme designed to prevent them from developing Type 2 diabetes.

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) supports people at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by helping them to manage their weight, eat more healthily and be more active.

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week (23 May – 29 May) highlights the fact that this is one of the biggest healthcare challenges of our time.

The prevalence of diabetes has more than doubled in the last 20 years, with an estimated 4.8 million people living with the condition in the UK, largely due to the rising number of cases of Type 2 diabetes.

Dr Neil Hartley-Smith, local GP and clinical director for NHS Blackpool and NHS Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Groups, said:

“We have to remember that Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. One of the biggest manageable risks is obesity. National Diabetes Prevention Week is a great opportunity for us to encourage people who are at risk of developing the condition to take part in the Healthier You National Diabetes Prevention Programme. People identified by their GP are offered tailored support and advice to avoid the potentially life-threatening condition.

“The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme puts people in control of their own health by supporting them to lose weight through regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet. We want to do all that we can to prevent people from developing Type 2 diabetes.”

Those who may be at an increased risk of developing the condition include:

• People who are overweight or obese
• Men
• Those from South Asian communities
• Those with a family history of Type 2 diabetes

People on the NDPP programme will get tailored, personalised help to reduce their risk including education on healthy eating and lifestyle choices, reducing weight through bespoke physical exercise programmes and portion control, which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Programme participants can also meet and connect with others socially to share ideas and experiences alongside trained professional support available online or via the telephone.

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week aims to encourage the 13.6 million people in the UK at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes to take early steps to prevent the condition from developing such as eating well and moving more.

If you feel you may be at risk of Type 2 diabetes, you can speak to your GP about a referral to the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Click here to read case studies from programme participant's Katharine Wykes and Geoff Dagger.

You can also find out more about support in Lancashire and South Cumbria at: https://hlsc.franktesting.co.uk/diabetes 

Or learn more about the national diabetes prevention programme at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/diabetes-prevention/