A NEW partnership is set to offer Worcester residents at risk of Type 2 diabetes help and support to reduce the likelihood of them developing the condition.
The three doctor-led Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups, including NHS South Worcestershire along with the county council have partnered with Pulse Healthcare to launch the new Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
It means people recruited onto the programme will benefit from Pulse Healthcare’s services to help them make healthier lifestyle choices and improve their well being. Currently 22,000 a year die from Type 2 diabetes in the UK.
The programme encourages people to lower their weight, increase their physical activity and improve their diet.
Lead GP Dr Nikki Burger said: “Tackling Type 2 diabetes is a big priority. Like most areas of the country we are seeing an increase in new diagnoses driven by a number of lifestyle factors and we need to do all we can to reverse this trend.
“We’re proud to be rolling out this important public health programme and we look forward to working with Pulse Healthcare to help at risk people make healthier choices about how they exercise and what they eat.”
Dr Kiran Patel, Medical Director at NHS England (West Midlands), said: “Obesity and lifestyle-related issues have taken their toll on people’s health. Also, the complications of diabetes cost society and the NHS £8.8 billion a year.”
There are currently five million people in England at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
In Worcestershire there are at least 18,000 people identified as at risk with a further 50,000 people at risk but unaware they are.
The growth in levels of obesity and lack of enough physical activity are key factors increasing risk of Type 2 diabetes.
However, evidence exists which shows that many cases of Type 2 diabetes are preventable.
To find out more about the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention programme, visit http://bit.ly/1PofsvE .
