Lakeside Healthcare: NHS Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme | Primary care latest updates

A Northamptonshire GP practice has described the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme as an invaluable service to patients. Lakeside Healthcare in Corby, Northamptonshire generated 40 referrals to the programme from October 2023 to March 2024, and they were the highest referring practice in Northamptonshire.

Part of the process that has allowed the practice to generate such a high number of quality referrals is by utilising the clinical system to search all eligible patients and inviting them to an information evening, where samples of the products are available.

The management team at Lakeside Healthcare Implemented the searches sent from the ICB to identify eligible patients. These patients were then invited by text or call to group consultations. Those contacted by text were provided a text link to which they could automatically book the appointment.

The group consultations are held in the evening to make it easier for interested patients to attend.

During the Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme group consultation, patients are given information about diabetes, the programme and how it works. Patients are invited to sample the total meal replacement products that are available for free on the programme and ask questions at this time.

Dr Sanjay Gadhia reported that patients felt more open to ask questions in a group setting, feeding off the support from fellow attendees.

At the end of the evening, patients that are interested in being referred to the programme indicate as such and are contacted later in the week confirming if the referral has been done and also about proposed medication changes they will make from day 1 of total meal replacement.

Eighty-nine percent of participants attending the group consultation, went on to request a referral, cementing the success of the information evenings.

Dr Sanjay Gadhia, GP at Lakeside Healthcare said “initially we trialed the group consultation with a smaller group but have found that 20-25 people works best. Talking to patients together has shown to be beneficial for patients but also more time efficient for the practice, by only needing 1 hour for the group consultation and then another 1-2 hours to liaise with interested patients regarding the referrals. In addition to the group consultations, all healthcare professionals in the practice have been advised of the eligibility criteria to refer patients onto the programme and there is literature available in the practice for staff to access at all times. Fellow clinicians at the practice pro-actively promote the programme during one-to-one consultations with those patients that fall into the eligibility criteria.

The Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme is invaluable in helping and educating people on improving health, diet and lifestyle to prevent further complications associated with Type 2 diabetes and in many cases put the condition into remission.

The Northamptonshire NHS Type 2 Diabetes Remission provider Xyla has committed to support all practices across Northamptonshire to deliver group consultations for their Type 2 Diabetes cohort, with expert advice and information.

From October 2023, Northamptonshire began delivery of NHS Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme via the STP contract and the programme continues to be offered across the patch. The practice is committed to ensuring patients who have been and completed the programme have an annual HbA1c check to monitor their progress in sustaining lifestyle changes.  Victoria Hallett, Diabetes Lead, Northamptonshire ICB said “the growing obesity epidemic is a huge concern for us, and type 2 Diabetes is one of the main consequences associated with this in terms of both health and cost. The Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme helps people at a critical point when we have the opportunity to prevent further problems and facilitate self-management; thus easing pressure on primary care and increasing patient wellbeing. Preventing further Diabetes complications can improve quality of life and help reduce the 6.5% year on year growth in prescribing spend alone, so we are keen to work with all our practices to ensure eligible Type 2 diabetic patients are referred onto the programme”.   

For more information contact Victoria Hallett, Diabetes Lead, Northamptonshire ICB, v.hallett@nhs.net