NHS diet to help hundreds fight Type 2 diabetes in Newcastle

The programme is open to 260 people starting over the next 18 months. The service has just started in Newcastle but in other areas of the country people have lost an average of 12kg (almost 2 stone) over the first three months of the programme.

The ground-breaking DiRECT study and other research at Newcastle University has shown that the combination of a low-calorie diet and lifestyle support can help many people put their Type 2 diabetes into remission.

The Newcastle Low Calorie Diet is being provided by Collaborative Newcastle to increase access to this programme. The year-long plan provides participants with ‘formula meals’ – specially formulated low calorie shakes, soups, bars and small vegetable meals – for three months, followed by support to eat more healthily and get more active over the long-term. The entire service is provided at no cost to patients, which is particularly helpful during the cost-of-living crisis.

As well as helping individuals lead happier and healthier lives, enhanced action on obesity and diabetes is also expected to save the NHS money and free up staff time. Diabetes is estimated to cost the NHS £10 billion a year, while almost one in 20 prescriptions written by GPs is for diabetes treatment.

Cllr Karen Kilgour, Newcastle City Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Caring City, said: “We are delighted that the Newcastle Low Calorie Diet programme is giving patients the opportunity to transform their lives, reversing diabetes and sustaining their weight loss.

“It’s never too late to take action to improve your health and this programme could be a great opportunity for people to lose weight and put their Type 2 diabetes into remission, and it’s great news for patients in Newcastle that practical measures like this are increasingly available.”

People aged 18-65 diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the last six years and who meet various other eligibility criteria are being invited to discuss whether the programme is right for them and, if so, be referred onto the service. The interventions will provide low calorie formula meals alongside in-person or virtual group sessions and support. The service, provided by Momenta Newcastle, is free for eligible participants referred by their GP practice. Speak to your GP to enquire about the programme.