Diabetes in Somerset
In Somerset there are already over 30,000 people living with diabetes and of those, 90% will be living with Type 2 diabetes.
Those at risk may have no obvious signs that they have the condition but public health experts already estimated there could be as many as 10,000 people in Somerset who are undiagnosed and even more at risk of developing the disease in the future.
Each year, between 2,000 and 2,500 people are newly diagnosed with diabetes.
If people take no action to reduce their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes it is estimated that 53,000 people in Somerset could have the disease by 2030.
However, whilst type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through lifestyle changes.
Are you at risk?
Somerset GP Practices, hospitals and community health services have teamed up with Diabetes UK to help encourage the public to find out if they could at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Take the Type 2 diabetes risk survey
By completing Diabetes UK’s five-minute online Diabetes Risk Survey, you could be taking the first steps to prevent what is rapidly becoming a major cause of preventable sight loss, kidney failure, heart attack and stroke.
Those most at risk may already have a family history of the disease; they may be overweight, or have a poor diet (high in sugar, refined foods, saturated fat or salt and low in fibre) and take little or no physical exercise.
What next?
If you complete the survey and believe you are at risk, then talk to your GP Practice Nurse or Health Coach about what advice and support is available to you in your area.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, there is free support to help you manage your condition through 'My Way Diabetes'.
Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
Somerset is signed up to the national “Healthier You” Diabetes Prevention Programme which offers patients at risk of diabetes the opportunity to enrol in a 9-month face to face behaviour change programme offering tailored and personalised help including:
- Education on lifestyle choices and healthy habits
- Advice on how to reduce weight through healthier eating
- Bespoke physical activity programmes.
There is also the option of a digital programme for those who cannot attend face to face group sessions.
It is a joint service from NHS England and Diabetes UK.
Research shows the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme has reduced new diagnoses of type 2 diabetes in England, saving thousands of people from the potentially serious consequences of the condition.
To find out more, or to register to join the National Diabetes Prevention Programme please visit: About | Healthier You | Diabetes Prevention Programme (preventing-diabetes.co.uk)
Know your risk of type 2 diabetes
You can get help to make positive changes to your diet, weight and physical activity to significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Find out if you’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes by doing any of the following:
- Answering a few simple questions on the ‘Know Your Risk’ tool at diabetes.org.uk
- Taking up the offer of a free NHS Health Check to assess your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other conditions such as high blood pressure (available for those aged 40-74)
- Asking your GP Practice to check if you are at risk.
If you are at risk, you may be eligible for referral to the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme by your GP Practice.
NHS Type 2 Pathway to Remission Programme
Somerset is one of just 21 areas of the country offering a free NHS programme to support residents with Type-2 diabetes to lose weight and potentially achieve remission.
The 12-month programme of support from trained coaches aims to help people with the condition lose a significant amount of weight, reducing their risk of diabetes complications and the need for medication.
Additionally, they may potentially put their type 2 diabetes into remission, meaning they have a normal blood glucose level and no longer require medication to control their blood glucose.
The programme is being offered to eligible people in Somerset and the learning from the programme will help to build knowledge and understanding about the use of interventions such as this and the impact that they might have on the treatment of people living with type 2 diabetes in the future.
