Scottish Government launches digital diabetes prevention programme

The Scottish Government has launched an online system to fast-track proven healthcare innovations to potential type 2 diabetes patients.

The system, which will receive a £4.8m investment spread over three years, will offer education and virtual, app-based, individual consultations with nutritionists, dietitians and health coaches in an effort to prevent 4,000 people from developing type 2 diabetes.  

“This digital programme reduces the need to travel to in-person appointments and helps patients make sustainable changes to their diet and lifestyle and prevent progress towards type 2 diabetes,” said Jenni Minto, the public health minister.

 “It enables rural and urban communities to easily access services which can have a life-changing impact. It is a prime example of transformative innovation that benefits frontline staff and patients alike and supports our health and care service to meet the challenges it faces.”

In Scotland there are 310,000 people living with type 2 diabetes, representing more than five per cent of the population. In 2023, more than 25,000 new cases were diagnosed, with the number of cases predicted to reach 420,000 by 2044.

The new digital programme will aim to provide up to 15,000 people at risk of type 2 diabetes easy access to nine months of digital diet and lifestyle change advice to decrease their chances of developing diabetes. By focusing on prevention, the government hopes that the programme will reduce future health complications for patients, improve quality of life and ease long-term pressures on the NHS.

“Over the past five years, NHS Lothian’s dietetic service has successfully delivered both the diabetes remission and award-winning prevention programmes, supported by permanent Scottish Government funding,” said Jenny Long, the director of innovation and transformation at NHS Lothian. 

“Their success has led to further investment in digital innovation via the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway.”

The ANIA Pathway, funded by the Chief Scientist Office and led by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, is intended to fast-track proven innovations into frontline healthcare across Scotland.  

The new digital service is designed to be used by health professionals in primary or secondary care who can refer suitable patients after a diagnosis of pre-diabetes. Self-referrals will also be available for those who suspect they might be pre-diabetic.