To mark this year's World Diabetes Day (November 14), the NHS in Gloucestershire would like to help local people living with Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes to manage their condition through the range of support options that are available.

Dr Shabari Hosur, clinical lead for prevention of diabetes at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition caused when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or when the insulin that is produced doesn't work properly. This means that the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it. If undiagnosed, it can affect eyesight and lead to kidney failure, stroke and other complications.

Type 2 diabetes often affects people over the age of 40 and is associated with poor lifestyles and being overweight.

However, the good news is that it is mostly preventable, and people can help themselves by losing weight and taking more exercise."

Thanks to the 'Healthier You' Diabetes Prevention Programme, over 2,000 Gloucestershire people have been warned about their very real risk of getting type 2 diabetes and given an invaluable opportunity to prevent the disease.

People who are concerned about their blood sugar levels can check their diabetes risk level at https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start and refer themselves to the programme if a blood test done by their GP surgery confirms their risk level is high.

Participants are given advice on nutrition, exercise, and suggested behaviour changes to maintain a healthy weight or become more active, which could stop or delay the onset of the disease.

Another initiative is the NHS Low Calorie Diet programme, which is helping over 180 people with Type 2 diabetes to reduce their medications, lose weight, improve their health and potentially put their diabetes into remission.

Eligible individuals follow this year-long plan, which involves using total diet replacement products such as shakes and soups for three months, whilst also increasing their exercise levels. After the initial period, they receive help and advice to re-introduce ordinary, nutritious food, with support and expert one-to-one healthcare from their own Diabetes Specialist Dietitian.

The NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme is provided by Oviva, which works with the NHS to deliver healthcare services across the UK. The programme is delivered digitally with all appointments happening over phone or video calls, or via secure app messaging.

Ki-Activ is a personalised and guided online programme which helps people to make the most of their lifestyle and the opportunities it holds for their health. Rather than being about sport or exercise, it helps people to find the value of movement in their daily routine.

The programme, which supported 1200 patients to date, involves using technology to measure daily activity, collecting a lifestyle picture. A dedicated mentor will provide guidance and support to suggest adjustments to increase activity levels.

Finally, community diabetes education sessions are recommended for everyone within 12 months of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Refresher sessions are also available for those who have had diabetes longer than 12 months. The community diabetes service is made up of a team of specialist nurses, dietitians and diabetes educators/facilitators who support people to manage their condition to the best of their ability.