Our group sessions are held in venues such as leisure centres, village halls and community centers. You will be given a choice of the nearest locations when we contact you to book.
Frequently asked questions
Browse through the below FAQs below to find answers to commonly raised questions.
What is the programme?
The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme provides tailored support to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It includes education on healthy eating, including what to eat to help regulate blood glucose levels and the correct portion sizes for your food. It also supports you in incorporating activity into your lifestyle along with other holistic wellbeing strategies that have been proven to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Why have I been referred?
There are two referral routes onto the programme.
1. You have recently had a HbA1c or FPG blood test reading that has signified you are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, with the risk range being between 42-47 mmols/mol.
2. You are pregnant and have developed gestational diabetes
What does the programme involve?
The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free service, available to all those at risk of type 2 diabetes. The programme will help you make positive lifestyle changes, reduce your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. There are two ways to take part in the programme, depending on your personal preference; either group sessions or the digital one-to-one service.
Both options start with an initial telephone assessment to assess your health and wellbeing, understand your individual needs, motivations and programme goals. You will then either join a group programme or access one-to-one support from your health coach via phone calls, video calls, or secure in-app messaging.
Regardless of your choice of programme, the sessions provide education on nutrition, physical activity and holistic wellbeing strategies. The sessions will help you initiate change and empower you for long term success in reducing your risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
What is HbA1c and what does this number mean?
HbA1c is a measurement of the amount of glucose in your blood. If it measures between 42 and 47 mmol/mol, it signifies you’re at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Where do you hold group sessions?
When do you hold group sessions?
The sessions are mostly held Monday to Saturday with evening appointments available. We will always contact you before we book an appointment to ensure we are booking a day and time that is suitable for yourself.
What do I need for the sessions?
Please make sure you bring a pen and paper with you to each session, there may be activities where you want to make notes to support your learning. We will also be asking you to record your goals at each session
What if I can’t attend my appointment or group session?
You can use the link in your reminder email to book a catch up session, or you can call the team on 0333 577 3010 who can help you with this.
What about the holiday I have booked?
The programme is very flexible, so if you do have a holiday booked, we can put you on sessions that fit around your plans.
Why does the programme last so long?
The programme covers a lot of information and so is delivered over a 9-month period. We want to give you time to take it in and continue to support you whilst you put it into practice.
I have another condition which makes it very difficult /impossible to exercise, can I still attend the programme?
Yes, absolutely. There is a lot more included in the sessions than just physical activity.
Can you provide translators at group sessions?
We do not provide translators, but where there is enough demand, we can arrange groups in specific languages. We can also provide digital copies of the work books in 16 different languages. For 1:1 telephone appointments, where we cannot arrange for a bilingual coach, you are more than welcome to have someone who speaks English translate for you.
What is the digital stream of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme?
As part of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, you have the opportunity to join a free digital programme. The digital programme includes 9 months of personalised one-to-one support to help reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes. This programme is for anyone who would enjoy the benefits of one-to-one support from the comfort of their own home, at a time that works for them.
As part of the programme you will receive tailored support and guidance from your personal health coach remotely via a smartphone app, phone calls or video calls. You will have online access to a range of materials, recipes and other resources. Participants find the one-to-one health coach support very motivating and enjoy the convenience of speaking to their coach from the comfort of their own home.
I’ve been experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should I still attend my face-to-face session?
If you are booked onto the face-to-face session and have been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms prior to your session or have tested positive, please do not attend your upcoming session. You can contact the team on 0333 577 3010 and we can look to rearrange your session for you.
I’m attending the NDPP and have recently found out that I’m pregnant, can I continue on the programme?
If you are referred to the NDPP whilst pregnant or become pregnant whilst attending the course, you can continue on the programme. You must follow your healthcare or medical team’s advice first and apply the information from NDPP on top of this. Should any contradictions exist, you must follow the healthcare or medical team’s advice.
I’m pregnant and have recently developed gestational diabetes (GDM) whilst attending the NDPP, what can I do?
As you have been diagnosed with GDM you should be seen under a medical (specialist) team. You can continue continue on the programme and are advised to follow your medical team’s guidance first and then NDPP information is layered on top. Where contradictions exist, you must follow the medicals team’s advice.
I have just been referred to the NDPP and have a history of GDM, how can I be supported on the NDPP?
From August 2022, we are able to offer the option of joining a Microsoft Teams group-based programme specifically for service users who have a history of GDM but are currently normoglycemic (blood glucose levels within the healthy range). However, it is worth noting that just as we plan groups in areas based on demand, we will need to ensure we have a sufficient number of waiters before we start the GDM group, which is likely to result in a wait to start the programme.
I have a hearing impairment, how can I be supported on the NDPP?
For service users with a hearing impairment and require a BSL translator, from August 2022, we will be able to offer you the option to join a Microsoft Teams group-based programme, that will be led by a health coach, and a BSL Interpreter will also be present. However, it is worth noting that just as we plan groups in areas based on demand, we will need to ensure we have a sufficient number of waiters before we start the BSL group, which is likely to result in a wait to start the programme.
I have a visual impairment, how can I be supported on the NDPP?
For service users with a visual impairment, from August 2022 we will be able to offer you the option to join a Microsoft Teams group-based programme specifically for service users with a visual impairment. However, it is worth noting that just as we plan groups in areas based on demand, we will need to ensure we have a sufficient number of waiters before we start the visual impairment group, which is likely to result in a wait to start the programme.