As Clinical Lead for the Humber, Coast and Vale NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme, I’m pleased to say that our region is one of the first areas in England to launch this programme to help people who are overweight and living with type 2 diabetes improve their health.
Since the programme first launched in September, 75 people from our area have been referred to the programme. From January GP practices in Humber, Coast and Vale will continue to contact eligible patients to invite them to participate in the programme, in which they are offered low-calorie meal replacement products (such as shakes and soups) for 12 weeks, alongside support to increase their exercise levels.
Using the total diet replacement approach, the programme supports people with type 2 diabetes to lose over 15kg, improve their blood glucose levels, reduce their need for diabetes-related medication and even put their type 2 diabetes into remission.
In Humber, Coast and Vale the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme is provided by Oviva, a leading digital behaviour change company with a proven track record of delivering programmes for obesity and Type 2 diabetes support and prevention.
The programme is fully remote and is delivered over 12 months by a team of diabetes specialist dietitians who provide education and behaviour change support during the three stages of the programme:
- Stage 1 (Start): the participant has an initial assessment with a diabetes specialist dietitian to prepare for the programme and set goals.
- Stage 2 (Change): the participant completes their Low Calorie Diet Programme, consuming low-calorie meal replacement products for 12 weeks, followed by four weeks of food reintroduction coaching. During this stage the participant receives personalised support from their diabetes specialist dietician.
- Stage 3 (Sustain): the participant works with their diabetes specialist dietician to achieve sustained weight loss and establish their new healthy habits and behaviours in their lifestyle over the remaining eight months. If they gain more than 2kg during the remainder of the programme they can access additional dietary support and can follow the total diet replacement plan for an extra four weeks.
For more information visit: england.nhs.uk/diabetes/treatment-care/low-calorie-diets