Tackling Type 2 diabetes: New 12-month NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme now available

From 1 September 2020 hundreds of people will be able to access NHS soup and shake weight-loss plans to tackle Type 2 diabetes.

The diet and lifestyle plans have been shown to put Type 2 diabetes into remission for people recently diagnosed with the condition and will now be provided to 5,000 people nationally. Xyla Health & Wellbeing is pleased to be offering this service to those in; North Central London, North East London, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire and Frimley.

Diabetes is estimated to cost the NHS £10 billion a year, while almost one in 20 prescriptions written by GPs is for diabetes treatment. As well as helping individuals lead happier and healthier lives, enhance action on obesity and diabetes, the programme is also expected to save the NHS money and free up staff time.

The year-long plan will see those who could benefit provided with ‘total diet replacement products’, such as shakes and soups, for three months, alongside support to increase their exercise levels. To help people maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid complications linked to obesity, patients will also be offered managed plans for reintroducing ordinary, nutritious food, with ongoing support from clinicians and diabetes practitioners.

The Xyla RE-SET trial found that all participants achieved a reduction in medication with an average weight loss of 15kg and 88% achieved an average blood glucose level (HbA1c) of less than 48mmol/mol, indicating potential for remission.

“This ground-breaking programme now offers people living with Type 2 diabetes a new option. We no longer have to rely on medications to manage blood glucose levels. Our programme gives people the tools to take control and manage Type 2 diabetes in their own way. This is going to revolutionise the way we manage Type 2 diabetes.” – William Hadfield, Clinical Dietetic Lead, Xyla Health & Wellbeing

NHS research earlier this year revealed people with Type 2 diabetes are two times more at risk of dying from coronavirus. A further study published last week by the University of North Carolina found that people with obesity are 113% more likely to be admitted to hospital with coronavirus and 74% more likely to need intensive care treatment.

“This is the latest example of how the NHS, through our Long Term Plan, is rapidly adopting the latest evidence-based treatments to help people stay well, maintain a healthy weight and avoid major diseases.

There has never been a more important time to lose weight and put their Type 2 diabetes into remission, so it’s good news for thousands of people across the country that practical, supportive measures like this are increasingly available on the NHS.” – Professor Jonathan Valabhji, NHS National Clinical Director for Diabetes and Obesity.

Xyla Health & Wellbeing has already supported over 100,000 people to reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes through the world-leading Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. We look forward to expanding our existing services to support people with Type 2 diabetes through the cutting-edge Low Calorie Diet Programme.

“Since taking part in the programme, I feel so much healthier and happier. I’ve reduced my medication and I feel more confident about the way I look too” – Service User, Janice, December 2019. Read her full story here.

 “This is an important first step to ensure that people with Type 2 diabetes, can access a remission programme within the NHS and benefit from the ground-breaking findings of the Diabetes UK funded DiRECT research.

“We know that some people with Type 2 diabetes want and need support from health care professionals to lose weight effectively and now as these programmes are piloted across the NHS – they will.

“People with Type 2 diabetes who have put their diabetes into remission frequently tell us how it has changed their lives. We are so pleased to see that others will now have the same opportunity and hope that it won’t be too long before more remission programmes are rolled out across the country.” – Bridget Turner, Director of Policy Campaigns and Improvement at Diabetes UK

People living with Type 2 diabetes who have been diagnosed with the condition in the last six years will be considered for the pilots. Individuals must also meet other eligibility criteria to be referred to the service to ensure the programme is right for them.

For more information on the programme, click here.