Residents of Bury are being urged to get behind Diabetes Prevention Week, which runs 16 – 22 April 2018. The campaign launched by the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) is encouraging patients to take steps to reduce their risk of developing diabetes and take up the offer of a FREE NHS Health Check.

The following information is provided by the NHS in Bury:

In Bury alone, over 13,400 people have diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed) and this figure is set to rise to over 16,000 by 2035. The impact and complications of the condition can be devastating – leading to blindness, amputations and even early death in some cases.

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented and some of the risk factors for type 2 – age, ethnicity and family history – can’t be changed. However, the good news is that around three in five cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with some simple lifestyle changes. These include eating a healthy, balanced diet; maintaining a healthy weight; and taking regular exercise.

Attending the NHS Health Check is another way to assess your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and spot the early signs. This health check-up is offered to patients aged 40 – 74 without a pre-existing condition every five years and also checks their risk of developing other conditions including cardiovascular disease and hypertension. If a patient is considered to be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes at the Health Check, they will be invited to attend an NDPP programme. The NDPP is a free programme tailored to help each patient and is showing real results.

“It’s more important than ever for us to raise awareness of the condition among local people and support them to reduce their diabetes risk. Diabetes is a life-long condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly.”

“If the condition is diagnosed early and properly managed, people with diabetes can lead long and healthy lives. But if not it can lead to serious complications such as amputation, blindness, kidney failure, stroke and in some cases early death.”

“In Bury we offer local people help as part of the Healthier You National Diabetes Prevention programme. GPs can refer patients at risk to a 12-month intensive programme where they can get personalised help to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, including education on healthy eating and lifestyle, help to lose weight and bespoke physical exercise programmes, all of which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing the disease. I would urge anyone who has been referred to the programme to take up their place.”

Find out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and get advice on how it could be reduced by completing the diabetes self-assessment health tool on the NHS Choices website.