The Bradford Diabetes Programme aims to transform the care and support for people with diabetes and those people that have a high risk of developing diabetes.

The programme will provide a comprehensive range of high quality, cost effective and joined-up services for people across Bradford, with a strong focus on prevention. Closer working across existing health and care providers will ensure a more co-ordinated approach that wraps services round people, to meet their individual needs.

Why change?

Bradford currently has the highest diabetes population in England, with more people being diagnosed with the condition. Currently 28,500 people aged 17 years and over in Bradford are registered as having diabetes if this continues, this will increase by 1,150 people every year. (Source: NHS Digital GP Registered Population, April 2016) Diabetes is a life-long condition. If it is poorly managed, it can result in short and long term complications that can impact on a number of areas including:

  • eyes
  • heart
  • kidneys
  • nerves
  • feet

It can also lead to increased anxiety or depression for people with the condition.

There are two main types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 diabetes, where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. For more on type 1 diabetes read nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes 
  • Type 2 diabetes, where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin. For more on type 2 diabetes read nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes

Our main focus

We want to help people who are at risk of developing diabetes to make lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, to improve their chances of not getting diabetes. Up to 58% of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can potentially be prevented or delayed through a healthy lifestyle. The increased emphasis on prevention will lead to a greater awareness of diabetes and the associated risks, and should reduce the number of people with the condition. However, some people will get diabetes. We want to make sure that we provide the right care at the right time for diabetics and give everyone the tools and techniques to manage their own condition and prevent potential complications such as loss of vision, kidney disease and lower limb amputation.

Our ideas

  • Better coordination of services for people with diabetes so they fit around the individual’s needs and provide a seamless service.
  • Provide a holistic approach – looking at every aspect of health and wellbeing – to managing diabetes.
  • Ensure that care plans are tailored to meet individual’s needs and empower people to better manage their own diabetes, with support.
  • Support people to make the necessary lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing diabetes, with tailored support and education, for example changing their diet or doing exercise.
  • Reduce the risks of developing complications for people with diabetes.
  • Reduce duplication and gaps in diabetes services to make it easier for people who are using services.
  • Provide support for diabetics who are also experiencing depression and anxiety, linked to their condition, by increasing access to psychological therapies, sometimes called talking therapies.

What does this mean for people with diabetes?

  • A wrap-around service that puts the individual at the centre of their care, so they can access services when and where they need them, to meet their needs.
  • Earlier assessment of those at the highest risk of developing diabetes and referrals to the right services with a focus on prevention.
  • Provide an accessible range of support and education packages for people to build awareness and knowledge of diabetes, and improve self-management of the condition, with support.
  • Reducing complications for individuals with diabetes.

Why will this help?

The Bradford’s Diabetes Programme supports the delivery of the vision for diabetes: to provide a comprehensive range of high quality, cost effective and integrated services, that focus on both prevention and proactive management of the condition, for people across the Bradford district. This work is being delivered by existing health, care and voluntary providers across the district who are working closely together to improve services for local people.

More information

For more details on Bradford’s Diabetes Programme or to get involved in the Diabetes Programme please see our contacts page.