Diabetes

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About diabetes

Many people have diabetes but don’t know it. In 2021, 34,150 people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were known to be living with diabetes.

Type 1 and type 2 are the most common forms. The causes of both types are different, but both result in too much glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Type 1

Caused by the failure of the cells that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to help control levels of sugar in the blood. It can occur at any age but usually appears before the age of 40. Type 1 is always treated with insulin.

Type 2

Caused by the body not producing enough insulin or not using what it produces effectively. It is the most common form and accounts for around 90% of all diabetes. It is treated with dietary changes, medication and sometimes insulin.

Diabetes can increase the risk of developing other conditions, such as heart disease. It can be managed effectively, and many people lead a healthy, active life.

Diabetes support groups

Diabetes support groups are monthly meetings for those living with diabetes or at risk of diabetes, parents and carers. These are currently available at:

• Camborne
• Helston
• Penzance

Online type 1 support groups, for those who cannot attend in person, are available. To find out more you can access the Facebook page or contact Connie Thomas at Diabetes UK.

The Goss Moor Walking group

The Goss Moor walking group (Diabetes UK, Active Cornwall and Natural England project open to all) is free to attend and vouchers are provided for walking boots/equipment should participants need it. To find out more please contact Rob at Active Cornwall.

Together Type 1

Information on Diabetes UK’s work with children and young adults or to sign up to Together Type One, is available on the diabetes UK Together Type 1 webpage.

Diabetics with early stage dementia

Support is available for diabetics with early-stage dementia on the Alzheimers Society webpage. Alzheimer’s UK 0333 1503456 and Diabetes UK 0345 1232399 helplines are available to talk through your individual support needs.

The Diamonds Trial

The Diamond trial is a supported self-management programme aimed at assisting life-style changes to live with diabetes. Information can be found on the Facebook page.

Diabetes education programmes

We support a range of education programmes for people who are at risk, those who are newly diagnosed and those people who are living with diabetes to help manage their condition. If you are looking for more information on how you can look after your diabetes, visit the Diabetes UK website.

Healthier You – NHS diabetes prevention programme

The Healthier You prevention programme is available to anyone who has been told by their GP or another healthcare professional that they are at risk of developing diabetes. The aim is to support people to make good lifestyle choices by giving them knowledge, ability, and confidence. The programme provides people with support meetings and information for 9 months. People may also benefit if they are living with another long-term condition. It is free to attend.

The programme includes information on:

• diet
• managing stress and your emotional wellbeing
• physical activity
• weight monitoring and why it is necessary

A healthcare professional from your GP practice will refer you to the national prevention programme, but you can also self register on the Healthier You website.

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)

Continuous glucose monitors or CGM, are devices that allow people with diabetes to see their (or their children’s) glucose values continuously, rather than finger pricking to test. 

The device has a sensor which is fitted under the skin. The sensors are time limited (usually 5 to 7 days) and need to be replaced regularly. The monitor shows trends in glucose levels on the persons smart phone or other device.  This shows the rate of glucose change. Sometimes these devices are known by their manufacturers name and those commonly used are called Freestyle Libre.

In Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly adults and children with type 1 diabetes should be seen by the specialist diabetes teams who can prescribe these CGM devices.  Initially the device is prescribed for 6 months on a trial basis and can be extended if the user shows benefit of this device.

CGM are not currently commissioned for people with type 2 diabetes in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, unless the person uses insulin and is living with a learning disability, as recorded on their GP learning disability register.

Some CGM are more technically advanced than others and can link with insulin pumps for the purposes of managing blood glucose.  When a CGM is able to combine with an insulin pump it is known as a hybrid closed loop.  Hybrid closed loop devices are not yet available within the NHS in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. For more information see below.

Hybrid Closed Loops

Sometimes known as an ‘artificial pancreas’, hybrid closed-loop systems work by linking insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) with a computer algorithm that can calculate the amount of insulin someone needs based on blood sugar readings.   This allows the system to do some of the work to help manage blood sugar levels. Manual input is still needed to alert the system when eating or doing exercise.

The NHS in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have until October 2028 to provide access to hybrid closed loop systems to adults and children with type 1 diabetes, who meet the clinical criteria.

This means that not everyone who is eligible will be able to get hybrid closed loop, during 2024.  We intend to carefully plan the roll out of hybrid closed loop systems, so that it is fairly rolled out over the NHS 5-year timeframe.  We aim to roll this out in a way that offers the greatest benefit to the people with the greatest unmet need.  Once the roll-out plan is agreed we will publish it here on the website for NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Those people who are in the first group to be offered these during 2024/25 will be contacted by their specialist team, when the roll-out plan is ready to start. Please do not contact the teams directly regarding the roll out.

For further information on hybrid closed loops please see the Diabetes UK website

Insulin pumps

NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly pay for the cost of insulin pumps (sensor augmented pump therapy) for adults and children with type 1 diabetes, that fit the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) criteria.

Diabetes in remission

NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme, provided by Counterweight

Would you like to put your type 2 diabetes into remission? If you have been diagnosed within the last 6 years you could be eligible for the free 12-month programme.

Benefits of joining the programme

• Weight loss – 10kg average weight lost by patients on the Counterweight Plus programme.
• Potential type 2 diabetes remission – 86% of people who achieved target weight loss achieved remission from type 2 diabetes.
• Reduction in medication – 1 in 2 people completely stopped their diabetes medication.
• Improved blood glucose levels.

The programme consists of 3 steps

1. Total diet replacement (soups, shakes and porridge) – 12 weeks. Replace all food with nutritionally complete meals.
2. Food reintroduction – 6 weeks. Stepped reintroduction to food.
3. Weight loss maintenance – up to 1 year. Support in maintaining weight self-monitoring and reaching goals.

You will have a coach to support you throughout the programme who will guide you with making healthy food choices, as well as tailored, sustainable behaviour change techniques to ensure you feel confident maintaining your new habits.

The service is tailored to you and can be delivered either face-to-face or remotely (video call/phone call) alongside the Counterweight app or hardcopy workbook.

To check eligibility or to find out more information see the Counterweight website or speak directly to your GP practice for a referral.