NHS Scotland is planning to set up a Digital Diabetes Prevention Progamme, using digital technology in clinical interventions.
Its Commons Services Agency – otherwise known as NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) – has published a prior information notice for potential suppliers on the plan, indicating that it is expected to support around 2,000 people in its first year then 1,400 annually over the next two years.
“The programme will seek to provide a proven clinical intervention using digital technology that will provide support over a nine-month period, using trained lifestyle coaches to enable participants to track progress against their own goals via a digital application,” the notice says.
Nine-month support
NHS Scotland wants to use technology that will provide a channel for intensive support for patients from lifestyle coaches over nine months, connect the patients with peer groups and enable them to track progress against their goals.
Providers will work alongside the National Diabetes Team.
The notice says it is estimated at up to a third of adults in Scotland are living with prediabetes – the majority being unaware – and 5-10% will progress to type 2 diabetes every year. But various studies have shown that the progression can be prevented or delayed by behaviour change, which would be delivered through the programme.
