A NEW service provider is taking over delivery of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, helping patients benefit from diabetes prevention services.

Xyla Health and Wellbeing is replacing Ingeus, following a national procurement process.

The new provider is already accepting referrals ahead of their official start date on August 1.

Xyla Health and Wellbeing and Ingeus have been working closely together for several months to facilitate the handover, in liaison with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Dr Paul O’Halloran, an Andover GP and diabetes clinical lead for the ICB said: “We would like to thank to Ingeus for their services over the years in helping to prevent so many hundreds of people from developing type 2 diabetes and look forward to working with Xyla to ensure the most-effective delivery possible of this key service.

“We know that many cases of Type 2 diabetes are preventable and there is strong international evidence that behavioural interventions can significantly reduce the risk of developing the condition, through reducing weight, increasing physical activity and improving the diet of those at high risk.

“The programme aims to make long-standing changes to people’s health and wellbeing. It literally changes lives.”

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GPs concerned about patients who are at high risk of developing diabetes can refer them, with the individual’s consent, to the NDPP for group-based face-to-face sessions or an online app.

A new tailored remote service has been developed for patients more likely to experience health inequalities such as people with previous gestational diabetes mellitus, hearing impairment, visual impairment and those from Bangladeshi or Pakistani backgrounds.

Remote sessions will also be available for participants who have missed an in-person session. The changes aim to support greater service user choice and improve accessibility.

Matt Ellis, regional manager, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for Xyla Health and Wellbeing said: “We’re delighted to be the new provider of the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme and delivering on the NHS England objectives to offer improved in-person group-based and on-line and digital services to people on the programme. “

Unlike type 1, type 2 diabetes is preventable through lifestyle changes. The Healthier You scheme refers those at risking of developing type 2 diabetes to a nine-month, evidence supported, programme to change their lifestyle.

From July 2017 to May 31, this year, 32,258 people have been referred to the programme in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Nearly half of which (15,190) started the programme upon referral, of whom 60 per cent were women, 10 per cent from black, Asian and other ethnic communities, and 8 per cent from the area’s most deprived communities.

The average weight loss for participants who complete programme is 3.9kgs at nine months and 2.7kg at six months.

Diabetes type 2 is a significant contributor to preventable sight loss, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes.

The common condition that causes the level of blood sugar to be too high, accounts for approximately 10 per cent of the annual NHS budget.

For more information go to preventing-diabetes.co.uk/.

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