New programme to tackle diabetes

5th January 2017

Stockport has been given the green light by the NHS’s national body, NHS England, to deliver a new diabetes prevention programme.

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme will identify those at high risk of developing diabetes and refer them onto a behaviours change course.

The programme will including education on healthy eating and lifestyle, help to lose weight and bespoke physical exercise programmes, all of which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Dr. Vicci Owen-Smith, Clinical Director of Public Health at NHS Stockport CCG said “Type 2 diabetes usually occurs because people are overweight and can have devastating consequences such as blindness, amputations and kidney disease if it is not diagnosed and managed well.

“There are too many people in Stockport on the cusp of developing Type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable, so any help we can get in tackling it is very welcome.

“To lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes we need to be physically active and eat healthily to maintain a healthy weight, but it’s hard to do it alone. GP practice teams offer people support to make changes to protect their health, but these bespoke courses will give people that extra bit of help.

“If you’ve not already done so, go to your surgery for your free NHS Health Check and a simple blood test will help identify if you are at risk of developing diabetes. You’ll get all the help you need to change for the better.”

Councillor Tom McGee, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Health said “This is welcome boost to our efforts to curb the diabetes epidemic.

“It is estimated that 27,000 people in Stockport are at risk of developing diabetes and there are already 14,600 people here who have been diagnosed. It’s vitally important that we offer help to that very large group of people to reduce their risk”

For healthy lifestyle advice go to www.healthystockport  or www.nhs.uk/oneyou