Public Health Wales (PHW) is to run a Digital Diabetes Discovery programme aimed at harnessing digital innovation in care for the disease.
It has appointed health service design consultancy Healthia to lead the programme, which will develop an evidence based framework for strategic decisions on digital and investments in telecare and telehealth. This will contribute to the Tackling Diabetes Together programme.
Wales has proportionally the highest levels of diabetes in the UK, with more than 220,000 people currently living with the disease. If current trends continue, by 2035 it is expected that there will be an additional 48,000, equating to one in 11 adults.
The discovery has two strategic objectives for 2028-29: to have more people living well with diabetes, as measured through a reduction in amputations and other pathways; and to stop the prevalence of the disease, notably Type 2 diabetes.
A further focus of the project is addressing disparities in health outcomes by understanding the barriers faced by communities that are currently underserved, such as those in rural areas and with low digital literacy.
Vital step
Louisa Nolan, head of data science at PHW, said: “This discovery project is a vital step towards improving how we support people living with Type 2 diabetes in Wales. By exploring innovative digital tools and addressing health inequalities, we can empower individuals to manage their health more effectively, enabling them to live healthier, longer lives.”
Healthia has indicated that it will draw on its experience from previous projects for NHS England, NHS Gloucestershire, NHS Mid and South Essex, NHS BNSSG as well as for charities like Macmillan and Breast Cancer Now.
