MORE than 45,000 people in Wiltshire are at risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to a new report.

In the south west it is estimated that 527,087 people over the age of 16 have high levels of blood sugar, which could lead to developing Type 2 diabetes.

Of these, 45,403 - 11.6 per cent of the population - live in Wiltshire according to the report, released by Public Health England today.

But the report also found 26 per cent of those at risk could be prevented from developing the condition by good health care.

It is estimated there are 22,000 early deaths from Type 2 diabetes annually, and the disease costs the NHS £8.8bn every year – ten per cent of its budget, says Barbara Young, the chief executive of Diabetes UK.

The figures come ahead of the phased nationwide roll-out of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which will support people in reducing their risk of diabetes by helping them lose weight, be more active and have a healthier diet.

People supported by diabetes prevention programmes lose on average 1.57kg more weight than those not on a programme.

The DPP could offer nine months of information, support, group and one-to-one sessions on weight loss, physical activity and diet.

Members of the public are now being consulted on a proposed outline for the programme which will begin with a phased national rollout starting in 2016.

For more information visit the Change For Life website at www.nhs.uk/change4life or contact health and wellbeing ambassadors by calling 07824 868437.

People identified through existing blood test results or an NHS health check as being at risk of Type 2 will be offered a place on the programme, which will last nine months.

Figures suggest that Type 2 diabetes already leads to 22,000 early deaths every year and costs the NHS around £8.8 billion.

Duncan Selbie, chief executive of PHE, said: "We know how to lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes: lose weight, exercise and eat healthily, but it's hard to do it alone.

"PHE's evidence review shows that supporting people along the way will help them protect their health and that's what our prevention programme will do."

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, the national clinical director for diabetes and obesity at NHS England, said: "There are too many people on the cusp of developing Type 2 diabetes and we can change that.

"The growing body of evidence makes us confident that our NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme will reduce the numbers of those at risk going on to develop the debilitating disease."

The diabetes programme commissioned the new data, which was compiled by PHE's National Cardiovascular Health Intelligence Network

Experts also analysed data from 36 studies and found that people supported by diabetes prevention programmes lose, on average, 1.57kg more weight than those not on a dedicated programme.

Barbara Young, chief executive of the charity Diabetes UK, said: "Having high blood glucose levels significantly increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which is a serious health condition which affects 2.9 million people in England, and can lead to devastating complications such as blindness, amputations and stroke, and ultimately early death.

"This is why it is really important that people at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes are given evidence-based support to reduce their risk.

"As well as helping to reduce the human cost of Type 2 diabetes, this would also go a long way to helping to reduce costs to the NHS.

"The NHS spends 10% of its entire budget managing diabetes and unless we get better at preventing Type 2 diabetes, this figure will rise to unsustainable levels."

Wiltshire Council corporate director Maggie Rae said: “We held recent roadshows where people could have a risk assessment for Type 2 diabetes and they proved to be very worthwhile. They ensured lots of people who perhaps didn’t know they were at risk of getting the condition are now getting the support and guidance they need.

“In many cases, Type 2 diabetes is preventable by keeping at a healthy weight, eating healthily and exercising often.

"A lifestyle including a healthy diet and regular physical activity are the key. Simple changes such as walking more and cutting down on sugar can help contribute to lowering the diabetes risk.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to raise awareness of the steps people can take to stop them getting this potentially damaging condition, and make sure they get the support they need as quickly as possible.

"If detected early enough and managed properly, people with type 2 diabetes can live long, healthy lives.”

  • Wiltshire Council and Diabetes UK worked together to deliver ‘Know your Risk’ roadshow across the county throughout July to raise awareness of the condition and to offer residents a free type 2 diabetes risk assessment.

Of the 454 people who paid a visit to one of the roadshows, 268 (or 58%) were referred on to their local GP practice for further support.

The highest referral rate was in Devizes with 70% of all those seen being referred. The lowest referral rates of the towns and city visited was Chippenham, with 44% referred.