Mid and South Essex

As a GP or health professional, you will already be aware that the risk of Type 2 diabetes is significantly reduced if your patients make positive changes to their diet, weight and the amount of physical activity they do.

Are you a referrer in Essex?

Your local Healthier You service can support your patients in taking action in all of these areas. Taking this kind of action now is very important as it can reduce your patients’ risk of, or even stop the development of, the very serious health condition of Type 2 diabetes.

Who’s eligible?

Your patient is eligible if they are motivated to take part in light exercise and meets the following criteria:

  • HbA1c results between 42–47.9mmol/mol (6.0–6.4%), or Fasting Plasma Glucose [FPG] results between 5.5-6.9 mmols/l dated, within the last 12 months. If the patient has a history of Gestational Diabetes (GDM), they are eligible with HbA1c < 42 mmol/mol or FPG < 5.5mmol/l. The previous GDM diagnosis must be indicated under the ‘Referral Information’ section. 
  • The patient does not have type 2 diabetes – if a reading is in the diabetic range (HbA1c ≥48 or FPG ≥7), the individual is not eligible. If two blood test readings are provided on the referral and one is in the diabetic range, you will be asked to confirm the patient is not being treated as diabetic. 
  • The patient is registered with a GP practice within one of our contract areas, is not pregnant, and is aged 18 years or over. 
  • There is no medical reason why this patient should not take part in a programme that includes light-moderate physical activity. 
  • The patient must not have a diagnosed active eating disorder. If the patient has a history of an eating disorder which is currently inactive, the referring GP must only refer if they deem the patient will be safe on a behaviour change programme with significant nutrition input. 
  • The patient must not have had bariatric surgery in the last 2 years even if the surgery has been reversed. 
  • The patient must not be identified as having moderate or severe frailty. 

How to refer

To refer an individual to the Healthier You Programme, please ensure they meet the eligibility criteria then complete the referral form which is embedded into your clinical system and send it to:

NHS email: scwcsu.essex@nhs.net

We have patient information in the following languages: