People at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can sign up online for the free Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. They can find out if they are eligible to join the programme through the Diabetes UK risk tool and anyone identified moderate to high risk of Type 2 can sign up online

Lyn from Withernsea in East Yorkshire joined the programme in March 2020 and says it’s already benefited her health and wellbeing.

“I would encourage anyone to join the programme who’s at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes as it’s only a few hours a week and the sessions are really informative,” Lyn said. “The sessions have helped me take small steps which will have a huge impact on my life in the future.”

The Healthier You programme provides guidance on adopting a healthier diet and increasing physical activity. It is currently being delivered remotely using group video conferencing, online applications and websites; supporting measures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Lyn’s blood sugar levels indicated that she was pre-diabetic and at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Lyn wanted to make changes to address this and improve her health.

“At first, having sessions on the phone felt strange but I quickly adapted to the new method and found it helpful. Before I started the programme, I didn’t understand exactly what a carbohydrate was and the effect that it could have on my blood glucose levels. Improving my understanding helped me realise what I needed to cut down on and gave me the push to do so.

“This programme has given me the right tools to use to lose weight and improve my health! I’m also drinking more water than ever. I thought these changes would be really tough, but I’ve adapted to them quickly and I know that they’re sustainable.”

Lyn referred herself to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme which in the Humber Coast and Vale Integrated Care System is provided by ICS Health & Wellbeing.

Regional Manager Ryan Morrow said: “At ICS Health & Wellbeing our priority is to support our communities to reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and the complications it brings. That’s why we have developed our service to continue to support people remotely by offering online video-conferencing and phone calls during these times – when we know that social isolation is a significant challenge, mental wellbeing is being tested and physical health is perhaps being neglected.

“Our service is now being delivered through remote means and referring into the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme provides the opportunity for people at risk of diabetes to access interactive and informative resources, dedicated support from health and wellbeing coaches, peer interaction through remote group sessions.”

Patients will have the choice to revert to face-to-face sessions once it is safe for the service to offer this, Ryan added.

Eligible participants can sign themselves up to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme online, as well as being referred by a healthcare professional. The first thing to do is find out if you’re at high risk of developing the disease by using the Diabetes UK risk tool. The risk tool is designed for people without a current diagnosis of diabetes and is intended to highlight a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years.