The Healthier You: The Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP) is a tailored, behavioural intervention programme to support a healthy weight and active lifestyle to significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It is available to those who are found to be pre-diabetic from their blood tests (HbA1c 42-47 mmol/mol).

In order to fast-track referrals, NHS England has now opened up a self-referral route. Participants with a Diabetes UK risk score of 16+, can self-refer to  the DPP. The new self-referral route will be open until 31 March 2021 and patients can be signposted to the Diabetes UK risk tool. GP referrals are still preferred and due to pressures on phlebotomy services, blood test criteria has been extended to a qualifying reading within the past 24 months (HbA1c 42-47 mmol/mol or FPG 5.5-6.9 mmols/l).

The DDP was developed collaboratively by NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK and is a successful evidence-based course. A refreshed DPP programme started in August 2019. The new format provides additional sessions,motivational interviewing, and a digital aspect which includes an app with videos and online support.

The nine-month programme includes an intial one-to-one review to provide a DPP overview, co-produce a personalised action plan and set long and short-term goals. The initial review is followed by 13 group sessions focusing on understanding diabetes, a healthy diet, physical activity and taking charge. Patients also recieve a one-to-one review at the end of the programme to review, evaluate and set goals.

Due to Covid-19, this is currently being delivered entirely remotely, offered over telephone, group video conference, or online through apps and websites. 

CPD-accredited Training

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has developed an e-learning module on the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme for GPs, practice nurses and other practice staff. The free 30-minute module is CPD-accredited and covers: 

• What non-diabetic hyperglycaemia is
• What the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is
• How it works
• Who is eligible. 

It can be accessed by creating a free account on the RCGP learning site. 

Coding Patient Attendance

It is important GP practices have processes in place to ensure coding of patient structured-education attendance. The table below details how attendance information for each of the available diabetes structured education courses is communicated to practices and which codes should be used.

Patient cohort: Pre-diabetes

• Attendance report for practices: Quarterly Excel report emailed to practice manager
• Example report/letter practices receive: DPP example report 

Attendance coding: 

• Started: 679m2
• Not completed: 679m0
• Completed: 679m1

Additional report information to code:

At the initial assessment; six-month and nine-month check points

• HbA1c
• Height
• Weight
• FPG

Eligibility criteria

Inclusions

• Aged 18 years and over
• Registered with an Islington GP practice
• HbA1c between 42-47 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4 per cent) or Fasting Plasma Glucose between 5.5-6.9 mmol/l within the last 12 months (temporarily changed to 24 months during the covid pandemic)
• Not pregnant
• Able to take part in light/moderate physical activity

How to refer

The following clinicians can refer to this service: GPs