Diabetes Week: New diabetes risk checks launched in Northants   You are here: Home » News Detail

Diabetes Week

A new service has been introduced to the county that will assess people’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The diabetes risk check identifies those with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), and aims to prevent it from developing into type 2 diabetes - which is a high risk for those with IGT. The service is jointly commissioned by NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS Corby Clinical Commissioning Group, who are taking over responsibility for purchasing health services for the county from NHS Northamptonshire from 1 April 2013.

In Northamptonshire alone, there are 30,000 people with diabetes. This figure is expected to rise to 46,000 by 2025. The annual cost of treating one person with Diabetes is £700, so the overall cost would be £32m.

Dr Matthew Davies, long term conditions lead for NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "The new Diabetes risk check programme will identify those aged 40-74 who are 'at risk' of developing Diabetes. It is estimated that this new health check will identify around 542 patients per year.

"This new service should stop around 4% of those with IGT taking part from going on to develop Type 2 Diabetes. This will not only improve people’s health, it will also save the health service money in the long run."

The new service is available in the community as well as at GP practices. It is hoped to significantly reduce the number of people in the county contracting diabetes by working with local health professionals and by using methods such as interactive group education sessions. Sessions will include:

• Magnetic Man - An interactive session that will help people understand the effects of diabetes on various organs and functions of the body. This includes what happens when you eat food, signs and symptoms of diabetes, causes and effects of diabetes, and treatments.
• Healthy eating session – This will look at the effect of food and drink choices, and identifying hidden fat, sugar and calories.
• Breaking barriers – Focusing on recognising factors that prevent people from changing their behaviour and adopting a healthier lifestyle.
• Goal setting and care-planning – Helping people to commit to making changes to their lifestyle, developing a plan, identifying support and how to access this.

More information on Diabetes is available at http://www.miltonkeynes-northamptonshire.nhs.uk/diabetes/