In some areas of the UK, there are type 2 diabetes remission programmes available through the NHS and health boards.
Not every area has a specific type 2 remission programme available, and where there is one, you need to meet certain criteria to be accepted onto the programme. Click on the area of the UK you live in to see what support is available.
NHS Remission Service for England
In England, the NHS offers a low-calorie diet programme specifically designed to help people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight to try going into type 2 remission.
The programme is called the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme. You may have heard it called the ‘soups and shakes’ diet.
The programme is based on the DiRECT trial, which offers the strongest evidence we have for putting type 2 diabetes into remission. The aim of the programme is to lose a significant amount of weight quickly and safely, to help put your blood sugar levels below a diabetes range and keep them there long-term.
How the NHS Path to Remission Programme works
The year long programme is free and has three main steps. You’ll get specialist support from a healthcare team every step of the way. This team includes GPs, diabetes specialists, dieticians, health psychologists, and exercise specialists. They’ll give you personalised advice on food, physical activity, and wellbeing. You’ll learn what the best way is for you to eat healthily and move more, to help put your type 2 diabetes into remission.
Is the programme available to everyone in England?
In May 2024, NHS England announced that the programme is now available in all local health areas of England. There is criteria that you need to meet to be accepted on the programme. though. These are things like age, weight and when you were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This is because the programme isn’t suitable for everyone.
To find out more visit the NHS website.
The first step is to speak to your GP or health care team about type 2 remission. They will need to refer you onto the programme.
Remission Service for Northern Ireland
At the moment, there is only one pilot Diabetes Remission Programme in Northern Ireland. This is within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. You need a referral from your GP to be considered for the programme.
Will there be type 2 remission programmes in Northern Ireland in the future?
There are five Health & Social Care trusts (SEH & SCT) in Northern Ireland. In 2021, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust introduced a pilot Diabetes Remission Programme. The results of this initial pilot showed similar results for participants as those seen through the DiRECT study. The SEH & SCT have continued to offer this programme on a pilot basis. Access to the pilot programme is through GP referral.
At this point there are no plans to roll out the programme across Northern Ireland, although this is something we're calling for.
Type 2 remission service in Scotland
In Scotland, there is an online 12-month course for NHS Scotland to help people with type 2 diabetes living with overweight or obesity to try going into remission. Called the National Digital Type 2 Remission Programme, some people may know the programme as Counterweight Plus® (the name of the course provider).
In three steps, the programme supports you to lose a significant amount of weight quickly and safely. And help you put your blood sugar levels below the diabetes range and keep them there long-term. You’ll get specialist support from a healthcare team every step of the way and peer support. It is based on the DiRECT study, which offers the strongest evidence we have for putting type 2 diabetes into remission.
Is the National Digital Type 2 Remission Programme (Counterweight Plus®) available everywhere in Scotland?
The programme isn’t available in every area of Scotland. There are also requirements you need to meet to be accepted on the programme like age (usually 18 to 65) weight and when you were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Eligibility may vary in each heath board. See information for patients on standard patient requirements for the programme.
Other remission courses offered by local boards
All 14 Health Boards offer remission services. These are targeted intensive weight management intervention programmes which will help people with type 2 diabetes go into remission. They may be face-to-face or online.
How do I get a place on a remission course?
The first step is to speak to your GP or health care team about type 2 remission. They will be able to tell you what support is available for you and refer you.
Type 2 remission service in Wales
At the moment, there is an All Wales Type 2 Diabetes Remission Service being piloted across four University Health Boards (UHB). These four UHBs are Cardiff & Vale UHB, Betsi Cadwaladr UHB, Hywell Dda UHB & Aneurin Bevan.
Will there be type 2 remission programmes in Wales in the future?
Teams within Aneurin Bevan UHB, Cardiff & Vale UHB and Hywell Dda UHB are continuing to support people on the pilot programme. But at this point no decision has been announced on whether the programme will continue, or be rolled out to other areas of Wales after April 2024. This is something we are calling for though.
