New diabetes programme set to offer hope for those at risk in Leeds

Health and care leaders in Leeds are welcoming the partnership between the NHS, Leeds City Council’s Public Health team, and Ingeus, a leading provider of health, employment, training and skills services, which will see individuals at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes offered a place on the new Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Currently 40,750 people in Leeds have Type 2 diabetes and 202,095 people are thought to be at high risk of getting the disease but do not know about it. At the moment 44,927 people have been identified as being high risk. Specific areas of high diabetes prevalence in Leeds include Beeston with 2,174 people living with Type 2 diabetes, Chapeltown with 4,714 and Armley with 3,372.

GP practices across Leeds will identify patients who are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and will refer them to the programme, which is evidence-based and aimed at supporting and encouraging healthier lifestyles, with a focus on diet and physical activity. Research shows it is effective in achieving sustained behaviour change, whilst reducing the incidence of the disease.

Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Leeds City Council executive member for health, wellbeing and adults, said:

“I’m immensely pleased Leeds is rolling out the first wave of this important public health programme. Diabetes is a serious condition and more than 40,000 people in Leeds have diabetes. We are investing in prevention because we know 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2, which is largely preventable.

“The support from this new programme and the advice on the One You Leeds website are part of our joined up prevention work in the city, helping us delay and stop people getting diabetes, save their lives, and invest savings in other much needed health and care.”

Dr Esther Dalton, a GP at St Martin’s Practice in Chapeltown, Leeds, with expertise in delivering diabetes support, said:

“It is great that Leeds is rolling out the first wave of this important public health programme. It is another example of the benefits of the excellent working relationships between organisations delivering health and care in Leeds and I’m delighted we will see Leeds offer a tailored behavioural change programme to benefit the local population.”

“The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a joint commitment from NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK, to deliver at scale, an evidence-based behaviour change programme focused on lowering weight, increasing physical activity and improving the diet of those individuals identified as being at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It is about supporting people to take control of their own health to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It’s about prevention.”

Barry Fletcher, Ingeus’s Chief Operating Officer added:

“Ingeus is delighted to be working alongside the Leicester Diabetes Centre and other health professionals throughout the region to encourage a positive change in public health. Our experience of delivering large-scale programmes in a number of sectors, including health, means we are well placed to make a real difference, and we look forward to supporting those considered to be at greatest risk of Type 2 diabetes.”

There is a direct association between the growth in Type 2 diabetes and Britain’s expanding waistline, as those who are overweight or obese are at higher risk of developing the condition. Two thirds of English adults and one third of 11-15 year olds are currently overweight or obese. This figure is set to increase, projections show that 70 per cent of people will be overweight or obese by 2034 and one in ten will develop Type 2 diabetes.

To find out more about the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention programme, visit www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes-prevention

If you think you may be at risk of developing diabetes you should contact your GP practice.

Notes to editors

• Sunday 12 June to Saturday 18 June 2016 is Diabetes Week - https://www.diabetes.org.uk/
• Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme has been developed collaboratively by NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK.
• The first areas to join the programme in 2016 were chosen as they have demonstrated the necessary infrastructure to generate volumes of referrals from the outset.
• One You Leeds supports national One You and can be found at www.oneyouleeds.org.uk