The NHS supported a record number of people with type 2 diabetes to sign up to its Path to Remission programme last year, helping them to lose weight and potentially put their condition into remission.
Over 13,000 people were enrolled onto the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme in 2024-25 – almost double the previous year (6,401 in 2023-24) and the highest ever.
Reed Wellbeing has been proud to deliver the service for the NHS in Stoke and Staffordshire since 2023. Our delivery is playing an important role helping people in the region to put their Type 2 diabetes into remission.
NHS England’s lead diabetes doctor said, “this proven NHS diet programme is transforming lives – helping thousands of people to lose weight, and for some people put their type 2 diabetes into remission.”
A recent study into the NHS programme’s effectiveness found that of those who completed the programme – one in three (32%) had put their type 2 diabetes into remission, with an average weight loss in these participants of nearly 16 kilograms.
One person who used Reed Wellbeing’s delivery of the programme was Laura, who lives in Walton on Trent.
Laura said: “I was told I had Type 2 diabetes but I couldn’t diet without support. I was making the wrong food choices and wasn’t exercising.
“After ten weeks one the programme I lost three stone and felt more confident about myself. Other people started noticing the results as well. I’ve got more energy and love exercising!
“I challenged myself with a 100 mile walking challenge within a month to raise money for cancer research. I’ve raised £400 so far and have walked 41 miles already.
“The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme has had a huge impact and has brought back some body confidence, I have learnt a lot and best of all I feel better in myself. The biggest bonus is my blood sugars have lowered and by blood pressure readings are more normal.”
The innovative 12-month programme helps kickstart weight loss by providing participants with low calorie, nutritionally complete, total diet replacement products – such as soups, shakes and bars – consisting of 800 to 900 calories a day, for the first 12 weeks.
Participants are then supported by clinicians and coaches to reintroduce healthy, nutritious food into their diet to maintain weight loss; and their progress is monitored. During the programme participants can choose how they are supported through one-to-one in-person sessions or digitally online.
Over 30,000 people have started the programme since it was first piloted by NHS England in 2020 and it is now available in every local health area.
The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is a joint initiative between NHS England and Diabetes UK. It is based on two large studies which showed that as a result of going on a specially designed programme, people living with type 2 diabetes who were overweight could improve their diabetes control, reduce diabetes-related medication and, in some cases, put their type 2 diabetes into remission.
People can benefit from the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme if they meet the eligibility criteria and their GP or diabetes team considers the programme would be suitable for them. To be eligible a person must have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last six years and have a BMI over 27 kg/m2 or over 25 kg/m2 (for people from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups). Individuals who are interested in joining the programme can discuss their individual circumstances with their GP or diabetes team at their next appointment to find out whether it is suitable for them.
More information on NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is available here