HEALTH bosses in Worcestershire are supporting Diabetes Prevention Week (10-16 May), which encourages those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes to act now to reduce the likelihood of them getting the condition.
One of the main aims of the week is raising awareness of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which offers support to patients to help them build on their own motivation to make realistic changes to their lives, including what they eat and how active they are.
Access to the programme is via referral from a GP, for anyone who has had a blood test in the last 24 months showing they are at risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Residents who haven’t yet seen a GP but are concerned they might be at risk can check their risk score quickly and anonymously online at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk.
Nationally, over 500,000 people have been referred into the programme, and those completing the programme who were overweight or obese lost on average 3.6kg, greater than originally predicted.
Richard Broggie, a local resident currently enrolled on the programme said: “The main goal for me to achieve is to reduce my HbA1c to normal range and to lose some weight.
“I have already done both of those, and my goal is to lose more weight for the rest of the programme, keep my HbA1c in the normal range, and to make sure that I can sustain the lifestyle changes I have made so far.”
Local clinical commissioning group medical director Dr Carl Ellson said: “We’re very pleased that thousands of people are already well on their way to improving their health and wellbeing thanks to this programme.
“Whether it’s improving someone’s diet or getting them to become more active, this programme offers the help and support needed to make important changes to their lives.”
If you are worried about any symptoms or if you feel you’re at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, speak to your GP or Practice Nurse.
In Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, is provided by Living Well Taking Control in partnership with NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group.
To find out more about the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention programme, visit www.lwtcsupport.co.uk/about
