OLDHAM COUNCIL and NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are joining forces to tackle diabetes.
They have been chosen to join a government initiative aimed at identifying and helping those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which can severely damage health and increase the chances of developing heart and renal failure, angina and blindness.
The latest figures show that across the borough 13,888 aged 17 plus are registered as diabetic – and this figure is expected to grow over coming years.
There are a further 2,987 residents who are estimated to have the condition but are currently unaware.
Recently the borough’s bid – one of 60 organisations to apply – to be included in the first wave of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) was been successful.
The NDPP is a commitment from NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK to identify those at risk early, focusing on those with pre-diabetes, and help them change their lifestyle.
The programme will last at least nine months with each resident taking part in a minimum of 16 hours of group sessions.
The sessions will be delivered by a range of trained professionals covering weight loss, diet, physical activity and behaviour change.
Councillor Jean Stretton, Leader (Elect) of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “I think most people would be shocked to know that nearly 14,000 people in Oldham suffer from diabetes.
“Unfortunately we expect this figure to rise over the next few years and that means more people will become ill and also the cost to help patients will rise.
“That is why we wanted to take part in this programme as we see tackling diabetes, and associated problems as a priority that cannot be ignored if we want residents to be healthy.
“We want to help people to make the lifestyle changes that can prevent people developing diabetes in the first place.”
Dr Hyder Abbas, Clinical Director for Endocrinology at NHS Oldham CCG said: “We know Type two diabetes is on the increase both nationally and also locally here in Oldham,
“This project will enable us to identify patients who are at risk and put the appropriate interventions in place so that they are less likely to develop the disease.
“This programme will enable us to deliver focused, in depth work, with small groups of patients, to help them make short term changes that will ultimately deliver long term improvements to their health.
“If left to develop Type 2 diabetes is a very serious problem which has a major impact on every aspect of a patient’s life and their reliance on NHS resources.
“We want to make sure that this programme reaches as many people as possible before that becomes a reality.”
NHS Oldham CCG has also signed up to Diabetes UK’s ‘Make a Pledge’ campaign, which aims to improve services and patient experience for all diabetes patients. Follow this campaign on twitter @oldhamccg and @DiabetesUK
The Oldham DPP will begin in April 2016. For more information about the NDPP visit their website.
