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NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme to roll out across whole of Cheshire and Merseyside

Thousands more people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes will start to benefit from the national NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme across Cheshire and Merseyside.

The Programme is designed to stop or delay the onset of the disease through a range of personalised lifestyle interventions, including education on lifestyle choices, advice on how to reduce weight through healthier eating and bespoke physical activity programmes.

Already successfully running in St Helens, Sefton, Cheshire and the Wirral, the programme is now due to roll out to the rest of Merseyside.  There have been nearly 5500 referrals made to the programme so far in the area.

Pamela Hancock from Cheshire has multiple long-term conditions and was solely using a wheelchair when she was referred onto the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme by her GP six months ago.  Now, she not only has more mobility but her outlook on life is much more positive too.

“I was really low when I was referred onto the programme and thought a future of wheelchairs and walking aids was inevitable,” she said. “But, with the support of my family, I was prepared to do whatever it took to get my life back. I was determined not to develop type 2 diabetes on top of my other conditions.

“The Healthier You programme has given me hope. I’ve lost weight, improved my mobility and feel much better in myself. I feel like I’m fighting a winning battle again – not a losing one.”

It is estimated that nearly 200,000 people in the region are currently at risk of developing type 2 diabetes; which can lead to other serious conditions including strokes, heart disease, limb amputation and early death.

Professor Sarah O’Brien, Clinical Chief Accountable Officer at NHS St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group and Cheshire and Merseyside Diabetes lead said, “The national Diabetes Prevention Programme has already had a significant impact on the health of our community in St Helens.  We are proud to say that the referral uptake rate is 50%, which is twice as high as we could have expected.

“We know that many people are at high risk of pre-diabetes but are probably completely unaware of it. This is because the condition often develops gradually without any warning signs or symptoms, this is why it is such positive news that the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme will be available for all those living in Cheshire and Merseyside.”

Nationally, diabetes and its complications cost over £6 billion every year to treat and one in six patients in hospital has diabetes. Around nine out of 10 people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes which is closely linked to obesity and yet is largely preventable by making simple lifestyle changes around diet, activity levels and weight management.

So far, more than half of people have completed the flagship scheme – losing an average of 3.3kgs. However, when excluding those who already had normal weight and BMI but on the programme due to other health and lifestyle risks associated with developing Type 2 diabetes, this increased to 3.7kg.

Dr Kieran Murphy, Medical Director, NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) said, “We are delighted that the whole of Cheshire and Merseyside is set to benefit from the rollout of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.

“We are already seeing the benefits the programme is bringing to people in St Helens, Sefton, Cheshire and Wirral so to see all people in our region able to access this important programme is very positive.”

Sara Daniels, 46, who tragically lost her younger brother to a diabetic related illness, was referred onto the ‘Healthier You: National Diabetes Prevention Programme’ when her GP informed her that she was also at risk of developing the condition.

Since joining the programme 12 months ago, Sara, has dropped over 1 ½ stones in weight, lost 10 centimetres from her waistline and is enjoying an increase in energy levels.

Sara, a Sefton resident living in Litherland, said: “I feel so much more positive and now have energy to take my 3 year old daughter to the local parks and beaches. After losing my brother to the condition and seeing my dad struggle with the side effects of Type 2 diabetes, I was shocked when my GP told me that I was also at risk and worried that I might not be around to watch my daughter grow up.

Talking about the benefits of the programme, Sara said: “I’ve learnt so much about the health risks of eating too much sugar and understand now that it is often hidden in processed foods.  As well learning to read food labels and making healthier choices, I’ve started to cook from scratch again, which is not only good for me but is also educating my daughter about healthy eating.

“I’ve learnt that diabetes Type 2 can develop at any age, but that with small changes in lifestyle, such as an increase in exercise and eating healthier, the risks of developing the condition really can be reduced, if not eliminated.

When asked about advice for anyone considering joining the programme, Sara said, “I’d urge anyone identified as being  at risk of developing the condition to join the programme, there really is nothing to lose and the benefits really can be life changing.”

GPs and other healthcare professionals in the area are using Diabetes Prevention Week, which starts today, to urge residents to find out if they are at risk and take action to improve their future health.

Local activity also plans to raise awareness of high risk groups, which includes those from certain ethnic backgrounds including South Asian, Black African and Black Caribbean.

A special Parkrun will take place on Saturday 21 April at Crosby parkrun (for Liverpool), next to Crosby Leisure Centre, http://www.parkrun.org.uk/crosby/, which expects to attract 150 runners.

Organisers are encouraging people to consider introducing walking or running as a way to contribute to increasing activity levels; thus helping to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes.

You can check to see if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes at diabetes.org.uk/risk.