Diabetes in the UK is often treated entirely by the National Health Service. The NHS provides structured care for people with diabetes of every type and at every stage.
Diabetes is a complex condition and therefore NHS diabetes care must be similarly complex.
Many people with diabetes are not aware of NHS diabetes care services, initiatives in their area, and the support available.
NHS and Diabetes
An increasing number of people are choosing private health insurance. The below is a series of guides to going private, the potential benefits and costs.
This section has been created to provide a central platform for our visitors to browse NHS diabetes services, locally and nationally.
- It is estimated that 10% of the NHS budget is spent on diabetes, equating to £286 a second [1]
The NHS faces serious difficulties in dealing with diabetes care, from pre-diabetes to blood glucose management to trying to avoid the complications of diabetes. With millions of people with diabetes in the UK, diabetes places a great strain on NHS resources.
NHS diabetes spending
Estimates indicate that the NHS spends some 9% of total hospital expenditure on treating diabetes and diabetes complications.
Furthermore, an estimated 10% of NHS hospital beds are occupied by people with diabetes.
A report entitled ‘Diabetes in the NHS’ estimated a total cost of £3.5 billion per annum, over £9.6 million each day.
- Read more about the cost of diabetes to the NHS
With over 100,000 people with diabetes being diagnosed each year, it is easy to see how these health costs could spiral.
How does the NHS deal with diabetes?
Most NHS diabetes care is handled by multidisciplinary teams.
The NHS has brought diabetes care closer to home and started to involve technology in handling diabetes. As well as a consultant diabetologist, an NHS team may include Diabetes Specialist Nurses, dietitians and podiatrists.
If you would like to add an NHS initiative or service, please contact us
Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
The Healthier You programme was launched in 2016 by NHS England and Diabetes UK.
While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes can be reduced through healthy lifestyle interventions.
Those who are identified as being at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes can be referred to the Healthier You programme.
Delivered over the course of 9 months, the evidence-based lifestyle change programme provides support covering all the foundations of good diabetes control, including weight management, healthy eating and physical exercise.
When referred to the programme, you have the option to chose between a face-to-face group service or digital service. Both cover the same aspects of type 2 diabetes prevention and management but are delivered in different ways.
The face-to-face group is typically provided in a physical setting with tailored support. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the service has been offered over the phone or through a group video conference.
On the digital pathway you are given support through the use of technology, including:
- Online peer support groups
- Wearable activity trackers that monitor your daily exercise
- Applications that allow you to access health coaches
- Electronic goal setting and monitoring
