The NHS Diabetes Prevention Program (NHS DPP) 

The NHS DPP is a joint commitment by NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK. This program is the first national evidence-based diabetes prevention program.

The program was first accessible in 2016 in twenty-seven specific areas throughout the UK. These areas covered 26 million people (half the population), making 20 000 places available in the DPP. Ultimately the places available within the program will increase to 100 000 by 2020 when the DPP is available throughout the entire country.

The role of the DPP is to identify those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Once a person has been identified as being high risk a referral program is implemented to allow the individual access to a behavioural change program.

How are people at high risk of developing diabetes identified? There are two methods in which people at high risk of Diabetes are identified.

1.      A person will be identified by the General Practitioner (GP). Your GP may identify you as high risk from routine body measurements (such as weight), family medical history and any pathology results.

2.      The NHS Health Check Program routinely notifies individuals aged between 40-74 years of age of a diabetes risk assessment. This assessment occurs every five years during which a blood test is performed.

Highlights of the DPP

The DPP is a structured Intervention program that addresses lifestyle factors, including nutrition and physical activity education.

Over a minimum of 9 months, participants receive thirteen education and exercise sessions which are one to two hours duration and 16hrs face-to-face or 1-to-1 in total.

The program is delivered through various organisations listed below;

  • Reed Momenta
  • Pulse Healthcare Limited trading as ICS Health and Wellbeing
  • Health Exchange CIC
  • Ingeus UK Limited