HSE national diabetes initiatives

There are approximately 270,000 people living with type 2 diabetes in Ireland today.

In 2023, a new Diabetes in Pregnancy model of care was launched by the HSE, to support the estimated 7,000 women in Ireland a year who develop gestational diabetes and/or pre-eclampsia. Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes (since 1 January, 2023) are eligible for the Chronic Disease Management Programme and are being supported through an annual review with their GP and a care plan aimed at reducing their risks.

The last two years has also seen the HSE launch a number of updated guidance documents for the treatment of type 1 and 2 diabetes, as well as new and expanded initiatives aimed at improving earlier diagnosis and prevention, enabling better self-care, and improved supports at community level.

In an effort to prevent and diagnose diabetes earlier, the HSE launched its National Diabetes Prevention Programme, which helps people with pre-diabetes to make healthy lifestyle changes. Research shows that people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk by up to 60 per cent by following structured lifestyle intervention programmes, which are available for free from the HSE.

The National Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free group course and runs for 12 months. People can take part online or in person. GPs can refer to a programme running near their location. The programme includes a guide to healthy living, which can be accessed here: https://assets.hse.ie/media/documents/Diabetes_Prevention_A_Guide_to_Healthy_Living_-2024_FINAL.pdf

Commenting on the programme, Prof Derek O’Keeffe, Clinical Lead for the HSE National Clinical Programme for Diabetes, said: “A person living with pre-diabetes or diabetes requires time and support to understand what the condition is, how to treat and manage it, and the serious nature of the condition if not treated. The HSE diabetes programmes aim to empower people, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to engage in changes that will benefit their health for the long-term. Participants learn how to self-care
and manage the condition in partnership with their
GP and healthcare teams, which helps avoid serious health complications.”

Data from pilot phases of the HSE’s diabetes programmes show very positive results:

• 75 per cent of people with pre-diabetes on the HSE National Diabetes Prevention Programme lost weight and 50 per cent managed to bring their blood glucose levels back to within the normal range.

• There were significant improvements in outcomes for people with a new or existing diagnosis of type 2 diabetes on the HSE DISCOVER DIABETES programme, a free course, including management of blood glucose, body weight, body mass index, and levels of diabetes distress associated with living with diabetes.

Pre-diabetes detection

A recent addition to the Structured Chronic Disease Management Programme, the Opportunistic Case Finding Programme has also had a positive impact for people
with diabetes.

Dr Sarah O’Brien, HSE National Clinical Adviser and Group Lead for Chronic Disease, said: “In the first two years of the Opportunistic Case Finding Programme, over 16,000 patients were identified as having pre-diabetes and over 2,800 patients were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and enrolled onto the chronic disease management treatment and preventive programmes, as appropriate. Eligible patients have scheduled reviews with their GP and practice nurse, with a focus on lifestyle health behaviour improvements and/or medical management of diabetes and associated risk factors.”

More information on pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes is available at the HSE website: www.hse.ie/diabetes