NHS’s soup and shakes diet plan to cut diabetes

Areas in region are part of programme

DIABETICS WILL be encouraged to try a soup and shakes weightloss plan as the NHS steps up efforts to tackle a condition that costs it billions of pounds a year.

Some 5,000 patients will get access to the diet programme – with two areas of Yorkshire among the first to benefit – after NHS England said results from a trial showed almost half of people who undertook the plan saw their type 2 diabetes go into remission after a year.

As part of the year- long plan, patients who have been diagnosed with the condition in the last six years and meet other eligibility criteria will be given socalled “total diet replacement products” such as shakes and soups for three months.

Alongside this, they will be supported to increase their exercise levels, and helped to reintroduce ordinary, nutritious food to their diets, with ongoing advice from clinicians and coaches.

NHS England said that as well as helping people live happier, healthier lives, more action to tackle obesity and diabetes will save the health service money and free up staff time.

Earlier this summer, it was announced people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes would be able to self- refer to specialist services in a bid to curb one of the biggest risk factors in Covid- 19 deaths.

A third of people who died in hospital with the virus had diabetes, according to Public Health England data, and more than 12.3 million people in the UK are at risk of developing the disease.

The diet programme will be rolled out initially to patients in 10 areas of England.

The two Yorkshire organisations involved are the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership and also the South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw Integrated Care System.

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, NHS national clinical director for diabetes and obesity, said: “This is the latest example of how the NHS, through our Long- Term Plan, is rapidly adopting the latest evidence- based treatments to help people stay well, maintain a healthy weight and avoid major diseases.

“There has never been a more important time to lose weight and put their type 2 diabetes into remission.”