The Scottish Government has announced £4.5 million in funding to support a national digital intensive weight management programme for people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
It said the project will run over three years, support 3,000 people and is expected to help around 40% to achieve remission from the condition by the end of the first year.
The programme involves online support from dietitians, health and wellbeing coaches, encouraging people to heat healthier food and maintain weight loss. The first patients will be recruited in January of next year.
Professor Mike Lean, clinical senior research fellow/honorary consultant (medicine) at the University of Glasgow, said: “Providing a proven pathway to remission for 3,000 people, using a digital programme to people in their own homes, is a very significant step forward, and a statement of intent from the Scottish Government.
“It will also amplify the message widely to other patients and their families that this condition can be put into remission with weight loss. Human appetite is a very powerful, genetically driven, force, so many people are not successful without extra support.
“This professionally supported diet programme will allow people in Scotland who most need help to be successful.”
Hearing loss and strokes
The Scottish Government has also announced a further £1.5 million in funding for two other projects: a genetic test for newborn babies to identify if they are at risk of hearing loss; and testing of recent stroke patients to see if they have a genetic various that impairs the effectiveness of a drug commonly prescribed to reduce the risk of secondary stroke.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Neil Gray said: “In January the First Minister laid out our vision for Scotland’s NHS with digital innovation being a crucial part of our plans to reform health services. So I am pleased to announce funding for these projects which demonstrate the transformative potential of scientific and technological innovation to improve health and social care.
“These projects have life changing effects for those who will benefit from them, resulting in improved health outcomes and a better quality of life.”
