The Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme was originally piloted across the Midlands back in 2020 and due to the programme’s success from April 2024 the programme will be rolled out across all areas in England.

Since the programme’s introduction across the Midlands more than 1,150 people in the West Midlands have started the programme (figures are the amount of people starting the programme from 2020 until February 2024).

The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is a joint initiative between NHS England and Diabetes UK providing a low calorie, total diet replacement treatment for people who are living with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight.

The programme, previously referred to as the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme, is based on research showing that a 3-month specially formulated ‘soup and shake’ diet followed by healthy lifestyle support helped people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight to lose over 10kg (1st  5lbs) in weight, improve their blood glucose levels, reduce diabetes-related medication and, in almost half of participants, put their type 2 diabetes into remission.

The programme is being offered to eligible people who meet the set criteria:

• be aged 18 – 65 years,
• have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years, and
• have a BMI over 27 kg/m² (where individuals are from White ethnic groups) or over 25 kg/m2 (where individuals are from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups)

James, from Birmingham started his journey on the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme in 2021.

About the programme James, said: “In 2021, a nurse practitioner from my GP surgery referred me to the programme as I was not tolerating my medications well. I weighed 177kg (27st 8 lbs) and thought I could never lose weight.

“I found the first few months the most challenging as I had to get used to this new way of eating. Once I got into a routine and losing weight, my mood improved. When it was time to reintroduce regular food back into my diet, I was eating more vegetables, salads and other high-fibre foods. I started to feel more energetic and bought a bike to cycle to and from work. I was managing to do more steps every day, completing approximately 30,000 steps when I could.

“Now I have lost 95kg (54% of my body weight) since starting the programme and I now weigh 82kg. With a Hb1Ac (average blood glucose) of 29, my diabetes is in remission and my GP has advised me that I don’t need any diabetes treatment which is fantastic.

“I am happier, more confident in myself and my sleep quality has improved a lot. Working has become much easier and still love riding my bike – I’m now even planning long-distance bike rides. I can also go to theme parks and enjoy the rides – something I was previously told I could not do because of my weight.”

Professor Vinod Patel, West Midlands Clinical Lead for NHS England (Midlands) for Diabetes, said:

“When the Midlands was picked to run the pilot of the programme in 2016, we were really excited as it gave our patients the opportunity to participate in an evidence-based intervention aimed at reversing diabetes and sustained weight loss.

“Since then, more than 1,150 people have started the programme in the East Midlands which is fantastic and of course the success of the programme means further roll out and is now available to eligible patients across the whole of England from April 2024.

“This is such a great chance for people to take control of their health and to put their type 2 diabetes into remission.”

Peter Shorrick, Head of Midlands and East at Diabetes UK said: “Remission offers many people living with type 2 diabetes hope for a future without diabetes medication and less chance of developing serious problems with their eyes, feet, or heart. People in remission say it’s life changing and we funded research that shows that this programme works. Our aim is to support people to go on the Path to Remission Programme and achieve results safely, complementing it with our advice on a range of issues from maintaining a healthy diet, to exercise, mental health and the importance of peer-to-peer support to provide a holistic approach.”

If you meet the above criteria, contact your GP practice about the programme and for more information. People who are not eligible for the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme should discuss their individual circumstances and services that are available to them locally with their GP or diabetes team at their next appointment.

For more information, please visit the NHS England website here.