1,465 patients start diabetes remission scheme in West Midlands in past year, double prior years

NHS England – Midlands has supported a record number of people with type 2 diabetes to sign up to its ‘soups and shakes’ diet programme last year, helping them to lose weight and potentially put their condition into remission.

Over 3,000 people in the region were enrolled onto the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme, also known as the ‘soups and shakes’ diet, in 2024-25 – double the previous year (1,490 in 2023-24) and the highest ever for the Midlands. Average weight loss per patient in the region in the 2024-25 period has been -11% of their total body weight.

In the West Midlands, 1,465 patients started an NHS Type 2 Path to Remission diabetes programme in 2024-25, double that who started the programme in 2023-24 . West Midlands patients lost an average -10% of their total body weight through the programme in 2024-25.

Dr Vinod Patel, Regional Co-Clinical Director, Diabetes, NHS England – Midlands, said: “This proven NHS diet programme is transforming lives – helping thousands of people to lose weight, and for some people put their type 2 diabetes into remission.”

A recent study into the NHS programme’s effectiveness found that of those who completed the programme – one in three (32%) had put their type 2 diabetes into remission, with an average weight loss in these participants of nearly 16 kilograms.

NHS diabetes experts estimate that hundreds more people who started the programme in 2024-25 will be able to put their condition into remission.

One person whose type 2 diabetes was put into remission by completing the soups and shakes programme is Sarah who lives in Nuneaton. The nurse, wife, and mother of three grown children typically cares for others’ health. But in 2020, she was diagnosed with a rheumatoid condition, and one of the side effects of the medicine she took to treat it was type 2 Diabetes.

Sarah said: “About 18 months ago, my diabetes nurse spoke to me about the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme.  As a nurse, I knew that I needed that bit of additional support, so I joined the online group for the diabetes remission programme.

“When I started the programme, I weighed 14 stone 9 lbs, and I now weigh 12 stone 1lb now after completing the soups and shakes programme. I was a size 16. Now, I’m a size 12.  I had to buy a whole new wardrobe!”

“I used to never eat breakfast. But I’ve learned from the soups and shakes programme how important eating it is, to kick start your body and mind. At the GP practice where I’m based, there are all kinds of snacks for staff.  Since I’ve changed my relationship with food through the programme, I’ve never touched one of them.  The programme reminded me that food is there as energy, to be able to function, not for emotional comfort.

“One of the biggest benefits from the remission programme is the support you get around challenging why you had that emotional association with your food, and the psychological comfort it provides.

“This programme has a long-term support network for me, and that helps me to sustain long term changes in my life.

“Now, I question why I am eating something: Did I put my hand in the biscuit jar for comfort?  Grocery shopping has changed for me too. I examine food labels and ingredients.

“The programme has also made me more active. Now I enjoy being outdoors, walking in Riversley Park in Nuneaton, where I work, and the confidence it gives you. “

The innovative 12-month programme helps kickstart weight loss by providing participants with low calorie, nutritionally complete, total diet replacement products – such as soups, shakes and bars – consisting of 800 to 900 calories a day, for the first 12 weeks.

Participants are then supported by clinicians and coaches to reintroduce healthy, nutritious food into their diet to maintain weight loss; and their progress is monitored. During the programme participants can choose how they are supported through one-to-one in-person sessions or digitally online.

Over 30,000 people in England have started the programme since it was first piloted by NHS England in 2020 and it is now available in every local health area.

Dr Clare Hambling, NHS National Clinical Director for Diabetes and Obesity, said: “It is fantastic to see that this proven NHS diet programme is transforming lives – helping thousands of people to lose weight, and for some people put their type 2 diabetes into remission.

“The revolutionary programme can really help turn things around for people with type 2 diabetes who are struggling to manage their weight and health, and alongside the low calorie diets themselves, patients are provided with one-to-one support and guidance to help them sustain a healthy lifestyle for longer.”

The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is a joint initiative between NHS England and Diabetes UK. It is based on two large studies which showed that as a result of going on a specially designed programme, people living with type 2 diabetes who were overweight could improve their diabetes control, reduce diabetes-related medication and, in some cases, put their type 2 diabetes into remission.

Colette Marshall, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said: “For almost two decades, Diabetes UK has proudly spearheaded research that has redefined how type 2 diabetes is treated and managed – turning the possibility of remission into reality for some.

“Remission can transform lives, offering people with a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes a better chance of a healthier future, helping them live well and reduce the risk of devastating diabetes-related complications. We’re delighted that tens of thousands of people have now benefitted from the NHSE Path to Remission programme, inspired by Diabetes UK’s landmark DiRECT trial.

“Putting type 2 diabetes into remission can be challenging and staying there even more so. That’s why we’re committed to funding research to understand how to best to support people on their weight loss and remission journey.”

Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and is a major contributor to kidney failure, lower limb amputation, heart attack, stroke and some cancers.

People can benefit from the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme if they meet the eligibility criteria and their GP or diabetes team considers the programme would be suitable for them. To be eligible a person must have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last six years and have a BMI over 27 kg/m2 or over 25 kg/m2 (for people from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups). Individuals who are interested in joining the programme can discuss their individual circumstances with their GP or diabetes team at their next appointment to find out whether it is suitable for them.

More information on the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is available here.