During National Diabetes Prevention Week April 16th-22nd Stockport Council and the local NHS are urging people who are invited by their GP to the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme to take up the offer.
Patients at risk of developing type 2 diabetes are being sent letters and text reminders by their GP practice inviting them to take part in the programme which provides FREE tailored personalised help to reduce their risk. Type 2 diabetes is largely caused by lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise and being overweight, and can be a threat to health, if untreated leading to blindness or heart disease.
Dr. Donna Sager, Stockport Council’s Deputy Director of Public Health said:
Most people would be shocked to know that type 2 diabetes is the fastest growing health issue and that around 22,000 people in England die early every year due to type 2 diabetes, which is a largely preventable condition. The good news is that there is a free programme available for our residents who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. People who join the programme will benefit from free group based sessions in the community, delivered by trained, local staff. Topics include how to become more active and how to eat more healthily and people will be given support to set long term goals to help them make healthier lifestyle choices and reduce their risk of developing the disease.”
Dr Ranjit Gill, Stockport NHS CCG’s Chief Clinical Officer and local GP said:
It is estimated that 27,000 people in Stockport are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and there are already 14,600 people who are diagnosed with the condition.Type 2 diabetes usually occurs because people are overweight and can have devastating consequences if not diagnosed and managed well. If you are invited by your GP to attend the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme please do take up the offer – it could be one of the best things you do. Although the programme only launched last summer over 650 Stockport residents have already attended and we are already seeing patients benefit with dramatic improvements in their health”.
To see if you may be at high risk of Type 2 diabetes check out the online quiz at www.diabetes.org.uk/risk and speak to your GP practice team and ask what support is available. If previous blood results have shown that you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, ask your GP or nurse for information about how to join the programme.