Dave Roscoe, a retired Company Director, decided to take control of his condition after living with type 2 diabetes for 30 years.

The 76-year-old from Liverpool completed the Healthy Living programme a year ago and since joining has lost a significant amount of weight. Dave was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1992 and, since then, noticed his medication gradually being increased.

Dave said: “I was never obese, just overweight, but I was diagnosed with diabetes 30 years ago. I felt like I was slowly losing the battle and worried often about the possibility of complications in old age. I had a frank conversation with my GP who recommended me to the Healthy Living programme and told me firmly to make some adjustments to my diet.

“The website helped me to keep focused and do it at my own pace. It’s useful for learning about diabetes and the potential complications. I would often leave it a couple of days and then come back and look at articles that I found helpful. I liked the way it guided you through the programme and I liked the freedom it gave me – you don’t have to be IT proficient to use it.”

“I’ve reduced my carbohydrate intake, lost 15kg, my HbA1c test is down to 42 and I’m on almost no medication. I feel excellent and I look a fair bit younger too. I can go out with my wife more easily and more enjoyably; I can walk further and do more. I feel better and brighter and free from some of the worry of diabetes complications – it’s a goal worth going after!”

Healthy Living is a free online service designed to provide advice and information to people living with type 2 diabetes. Register to join at www.healthyliving.nhs.uk.