Sheffield people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes will be invited to join a programme helping them avoid developing the illness as a new scheme launches in GP practices this November.

Like the rest of the country, Sheffield is seeing an increase in people developing Type 2 diabetes. As lifestyles and diets are changing, many people are less physically active than in the past and therefore are becoming more overweight.

The ‘Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme’ will help those at risk to change their lifestyle, taking control of their health by supporting them to make changes to their diet, weight and the amount of exercise they do.

Dr Andrew McGinty, Sheffield GP and Clinical Director at NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “Type 2 diabetes develops when your body can’t produce enough insulin, or when the insulin that is produced doesn’t work properly. It is a serious health condition that can lead to devastating complications such as kidney disease, amputation and stroke.

“There is a greater risk of getting Type 2 diabetes if you’re over 40 and white or over 25 and African-Caribbean, Black-African, Chinese or South Asian. People with a family history of the disease are also at risk.

“Typical symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include feeling very thirsty, passing urine more often than usual, particularly at night, feeling very tired, weight loss and loss of muscle bulk. It's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as soon as possible as it will get progressively worse if left untreated.”

From November, Sheffield GPs will be referring patients who are at high risk of Type 2 diabetes on to the new programme. People who think they might be of high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, or those with symptoms should speak to their GP.

For more information on Type 2 diabetes please visit http://preventing-diabetes.co.uk/