New NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme

Posted by: Mark - Posted on:

If you have received a text from the surgery you meet the criteria to take up this offer!

We are writing to you to tell you about an exciting new NHS very low calorie diet programme taking place in your area.

Studies show that such programmes allow at least half of all participants to go into remission from their diabetes (meaning they no longer have Type 2 Diabetes) and the others have a much better control of their ‘sugars’ (HbA1c), blood pressure and cholesterol.

Such better control, or remission, is likely to help you live more active, healthier and longer lives, with less need for medicines, and less risk of ‘complications’ of diabetes.

Our records indicate that you may be eligible for this two-year programme, which is a really good opportunity to improve your health.

Your Commitment

1. Nutrition & Cost: 

sliced fruits

Eligible participants will be offered low calorie, “Total Diet Replacement” products including soups and shakes which add up to around 800 calories per day for 12 weeks, under clinical supervision. During this section of the programme participants should not have any other food. The cost of the programme to participants is subsidised, meaning it will only cost you approximately £20 a week for 12 weeks. After the initial 12-week period you will gradually decrease your use of the shakes and soups, meaning the cost will decrease.

2. Clinical Supervision throughout two-year programme

Programme participants will be seen by a clinician every two weeks during the initial 12-week period, either virtually or face to face, followed by monthly appointments for the remainder of the first year. During the final 12 months of the programme participants will be invited to have appointments every two to three months, depending on the patient’s individual needs.

Eligibility

If you feel that you can commit to this necessary time and cost to this programme, please do check your circumstances against our eligibility criteria.

You are eligible to participate in the programme if you meet the following criteria:

  • You have been diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes in the past 6 years
  • Your Body Mass Index, also known as BMI, is between 27-45. If you do not know your BMI you can find out via this link
  • You would like support to lose weight

If you are interested in taking part in this opportunity, and/or would like to discuss this with one of our clinicians, please contact us right away to avoid disappointment. Please contact us via [email protected] or respond to the sms message. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Non-urgent advice: Further Information

This VLCD programme is based on the national Diabetes UK-funded DiRECT trial, which saw almost half of those who took part in a very low calorie diet achieve remission of Type 2 diabetes after one year. You can find out more about the success of the national trial here.

All other costs associated with the programme, including the cost of 24 months of clinical supervision and support, will be paid for by the local NHS. If clinically appropriate the initial 12-week VLCD period can be extended to 16 weeks, with agreement from the patient and the supervising clinician.