£4.8 million programme aims to prevent up to 4,000 Scots developing diabetes

A new £4.8 million health scheme is expected to prevent up to 4,000 people from developing type 2 diabetes.

Scots will be offered education and virtual, app-based consultations with nutritionists, dietitians and health coaches.

The Scottish Government said a focus on prevention would reduce future health risks for patients while improving their quality of life and easing long-term pressures on the NHS.

Health professionals in primary or secondary care will be able to refer patients after a pre-diabetes diagnosis or anyone with a history of gestational diabetes. Self-referral will also be available.

Public health minister Jenni Minto told frontline staff and patients at Pennywell All Care Centre in Edinburgh: “We want to improve access to treatment in the community, enhance preventative services and maximise the opportunities of digital innovation through our Service Renewal and Population Health Frameworks.

“This will deliver a sustainable and high quality health and social care system for the future.

“This digital programme reduces the need to travel to in-person appointments and helps patients make sustainable changes to their diet and lifestyle and prevent progress towards type 2 diabetes.

“It enables rural and urban communities to easily access services which can have a life-changing impact.

“It is a prime example of transformative innovation that benefits frontline staff and patients alike and supports our health and care service to meet the challenges it faces.”

The three-year programme will enable up to 15,000 people at risk of type 2 diabetes to access nine months of digital diet and lifestyle change advice – with up to 4,000 of those expected to avoid the condition.

Director of innovation and transformation at NHS Lothian Jenny Long said: “Over the past five years, NHS Lothian’s dietetic service has successfully delivered both the diabetes remission and award-winning prevention programmes, supported by permanent Scottish Government funding.

“Their success has led to further investment in digital innovation via the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (Ania) pathway.

“New digital services will improve patient access and outcomes across the region, enabling direct referrals from primary care and reducing waiting times.”

The Ania Pathway, funded by the Chief Scientist Office and led by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, is designed to fast-track “proven innovations” into frontline healthcare across Scotland.

By identifying, assessing and implementing new health technologies with strong evidence and impact, the Government said Ania will ensure patients across the country will benefit from the latest advances in care.

The head of innovation at the centre for sustainable delivery, Jason White, said: “This programme represents a major step forward in the delivery of preventative healthcare across Scotland.

“It will empower people with pre-diabetes via easily accessible technology to make meaningful lifestyle changes that will significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

“The Centre for Sustainable Delivery is proud to support this initiative through the Ania programme. It’s a scalable, evidence-based solution that will support people to improve their own health and wellbeing over nine months.

“It will improve patient outcomes and reduce demand on NHS services through reducing the growth of type 2 diabetes across Scotland.”