GPs incentivised for referrals following low Diabetes Prevention Programme enrolment

GPs will be paid to refer people onto the national programme to prevent type 2 diabetes under new plans to boost participation numbers.
The move comes after The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) fell short of its 20,000 target in the first year.
Only 7,232 people enrolled on the course, which was launched in 2016 by NHS England and Public Health England with the remit of getting people at high risk of the condition to change their lifestyles. The programme’s first year target was 20,000, but referral targets were not met.
Now, NICE is proposing doctors working in GP surgeries receive payments for the percentage of eligible people they refer to the program. People eligible include those with blood glucose levels in the prediabetes range (HbA1c between 42-47 mmol/mol) or otherwise at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The programme is designed to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes, with a focus on diet, weight and exercise.
The NHS’ aim after year two is for 100,000 people to have signed up, with roll-out expected to be complete throughout England by 2020.
Meanwhile, people with prediabetes have been lowering their risk of type 2 diabetes for the last two years following the launch of Diabetes.co.uk’s online Low Carb Program in November 2015.
Over 240,000 have joined the program and are benefitting from its guidance. Users lose an average of 5kg after six months of being on the program and increase the amount of exercise they do by an average of 33 minutes.
Public Health England says numbers of type 2 diabetes could top five million within 20 years if obesity is not tackled, but the Low Carb Program is showing this doesn’t have to be the case.
After six months, our members reduce their HbA1c by 12 mmol/mol (1.1%), reduce their dependency on medication and learn to how eat a healthy diet consisting of fresh food, home cooking and avoiding processed foods. You can join the program here.