NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK have teamed up with leading providers from the tech sector as the battle against Type 2 diabetes goes digital – with around 5,000 people expected to benefit from the launch of a new pilot project, including over 1,500 here in London.

London will host two of the eight pilot areas that have been selected to test drive a range of innovative digital products, apps, gadgets and other online tools, starting this month.

Heathier You: The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme was officially launched last year to support people who are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Those referred on to the face-to-face programme get tailored, personalised help, this includes; education on lifestyle choices, advice on how to reduce weight through healthier eating and bespoke physical activity programmes, which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The new pilot offers similar support, assistance and guidance but through the use of digital interventions, including apps, which allow users to access health coaches, online peer support groups and to set and monitor goals electronically. Some patients will also receive wearable technology to help them monitor activity levels and receive motivational messages and prompts.

Simon Stevens, CEO of NHS England said “So much else in our lives is now about online social connection and support, and that now needs to be true too for the modern NHS. This new programme is the latest example of how the NHS is now getting practical and getting serious about new ways of supporting people stay healthy.”

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, National Clinical Director for Obesity and Diabetes said: “Tackling obesity and the rising prevalence of Type 2 diabetes are the major public health challenges of our time. By April next year we will be providing the diabetes prevention programme to the whole of England – an evidence-based face-to-face programme that prevents or delays onset of Type 2 diabetes in those at high risk. Through this initiative, we have the potential to establish the effectiveness of digital interventions to do the same, so that the reach of the programme will be even greater.”

Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive at Public Health England said: “This breaks new ground to help those at risk of Type 2 diabetes quite literally take their health into their own hands. Many of us use on-the-go digital technology every day and this is a logical next step in diabetes prevention.”

People involved with the new pilot service in Central and West London will take part in an eight-week intensive lifestyle intervention with an experienced dietitian providing personalised advice and support.

Users get one-to-one coaching through a combination of a smartphone app and phone calls. The programme is supported by videos and podcasts covering useful topics on how people can improve their nutritional health and lower their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. After the initial eight weeks, there is ongoing access to a dietitian and monthly follow-up calls up to 12 months to ensure new healthy habits are maintained long-term.

Lucy Diamond, Clinical Lead Dietitian for Diabetes at Oviva said, “Oviva are delighted to be able to support people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes across Central and West London to improve their health. Our programme combines professional support from a dietitian with online learning and a smartphone app for self-monitoring to help people lose weight, feel healthier and lower their risk of Type 2 diabetes”

In North East London, via Liva Healthcare, people accessing the pilot service will receive a dedicated coach for 12 months to help and assist them in achieving a healthier lifestyle.

Rune Bech, co-founder at Liva Healthcare, said: “It has been clinically proven in our native Denmark that lifestyle intervention can roll-back chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes. In some instances, patients will come off their medication entirely. The NHS is extremely forward thinking in pioneering this programme, the largest of its kind. Digital lifestyle intervention is a highly effective and manageable way for those at risk of Type 2 diabetes to roll back their symptoms. Relationships can change lives. With our light-touch and highly motivating programme, patients will have direct ongoing contact with their personal coach.”

ENDS