Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.
Every year in England, out of the approximate 700,000 women that give birth, it is estimated that around 30,000 have GDM. Up to 50% of women diagnosed with GDM develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years of diagnosis with an ongoing elevated risk thereafter. Diabetes is a leading cause of sight loss in people of working age. It is also responsible for most cases of kidney failure and lower limb amputation (other than accidents), and people with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than those without diabetes.
Research shows the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme has reduced new diagnoses of type 2 diabetes in England, saving thousands of people from the potentially serious consequences of the condition. It cuts the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than a third for people completing the programme.
How can you reduce your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes?
The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP), is a behaviour change programme that supports people identified as being at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Over nine months, participants receive personalised support with practical tools and advice on healthy eating and lifestyle, increasing physical activity and weight management, all of which have been proven to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is free of charge for eligible people to access.
How is the programme delivered?
The Healthier You programme is available as a face-to-face group, a digital service and a group-based video-conference service specifically for women with GDM. When you speak to your provider, you will be able to choose your preferred option.
Who can self-refer into the programme?
- Individuals with a history of GDM
- Individuals with current GDM (i.e. who are currently pregnant, can only start the programme post-pregnancy)
- There are some eligibility requirements people must meet including:
- Individuals must be aged 18 years or over
- Individuals must not have an existing or previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
How can I access the programme?
If you have a history of GDM or a current diagnosis you can self-refer to the Healthier You programme. All you need to do is find the area/locality you live in from the list below and click on the provider name to find out how to join the programme.
If you are unsure of which area you come under, please e-mail england.ndpp@nhs.net
| Locality | Provider |
| Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Cambridgeshire and Peterborough | Thrive Tribe |
| Hertfordshire and West Essex | Living Well Taking Control |
| Mid and South Essex | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Norfolk and Waveney | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Suffolk and North East Essex | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Locality | Provider |
| Birmingham and Solihull | Living Well Taking Control |
| Coventry and Warwickshire | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Derby and Derbyshire | Thrive Tribe |
| Herefordshire and Worcestershire | Living Well Taking Control |
| Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Lincolnshire | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Northamptonshire | Living Well Taking Control |
| Nottingham and Nottinghamshire | Living Well Taking Control |
| Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin | Living Well Taking Control |
| Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent | Reed Wellbeing |
| Black Country | Living Well Taking Control |
| Locality | Provider |
| North Central London | Living Well Taking Control |
| North East London | Thrive Tribe |
| North West London | Thrive Tribe |
| South East London | Thrive Tribe |
| South West London | Thrive Tribe |
| Locality | Provider |
| Humber North Yorkshire | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| West Yorkshire | Reed Wellbeing |
| South Yorkshire | Reed Wellbeing |
| North East and North Cumbria | Reed Wellbeing |
| Locality | Provider |
| Greater Manchester | Reed Wellbeing |
| Cheshire and Merseyside | Reed Wellbeing |
| Lancashire and South Cumbria | Reed Wellbeing |
| Locality | Provider |
| Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire | Living Well Taking Control |
| Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly | Thrive Tribe |
| Devon | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Dorset | Living Well Taking Control |
| Gloucestershire | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Somerset | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Locality | Provider |
| Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West | Living Well Taking Control |
| Frimley Health | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Hampshire and the Isle of Wight | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |
| Kent and Medway | Living Well Taking Control |
| Surrey Heartlands | Living Well Taking Control |
| Sussex | Xyla Health and Wellbeing |