Agenda item

The Board considered a joint report of the Director of Public Health County Durham and Chief Operating Officer, North Durham and Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Groups that highlighted the initiative launched by NHS England in collaboration with Public Health England and Diabetes UK “to be the first country to implement at scale a national evidence-based diabetes prevention programme” as part of the NHS Five Year Forward View. Durham County Council public health service was invited to register an expression of interest and has subsequently been chosen as one of seven demonstrator sites for this programme. The report also highlighted the impact and costs of diabetes to the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and the development being progressed to establish a new diabetes service model (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Chief Clinical Officer DDES CCG highlighted that the cost of diabetes would increase considerably and, as it was preventable for some patients, a better way of supporting people to manage their condition was required.  He highlighted that the cost of diabetes medication varied considerably, with no substantial difference in outcomes. He added that providers were working together to look at a new model of community based care to support people in the community without the need for secondary care interventions.

The Director of Primary Care, Development and Engagement, DDES CCG advised that the uptake was co-dependant on take of the Checks4Life programme.  Work was underway with Public Health to engage general practices that were not hit hitting their targets.  New commissioning arrangements were being looked at and motivation techniques were being created for newly diagnosed type 2 patients to encourage change.

Councillor Smith asked how we target lifestyle changes and asked if we had statistics on those who had changed their lifestyle e.g. success stories.  The Director of Primary Care, Development and Engagement said that they signpost patients to make the right choices and use other services to correctly direct patients to the help they needed.  The Chief Clinical Officer said that their focus was on prevention and recognised that it was a huge challenge to change behaviour.

The Director of Public Health County Durham advised that children and young people were a key priority.  Programmes were in place to tackle childhood obesity and DDES CCG were testing different ways in which to work with partners including GPs, schools and dentists.  Progress would be reported to a future meeting. 

The Head of Planning and Service Strategy queried if we were sending a strong enough message about diabetes.  He said that social marketing could mirror the messages sent out such as those used for smoking and domestic violence.  The Director of Public Health County Durham said that they did need specific social marketing and that perhaps a collaborative message from the region could be developed.  The Corporate Director of Children and Adults Services suggested that the Board write to Public Health England about a national campaign.

Councillor Nicholls said that he had seen the effects of diabetes and agreed that people should be taught about the serious consequences of losing limbs and the other health problems associated with it.

Resolved:

(i)            That the selection of the Durham County Council public health service commissioned Check4Life and Just Beat It programme as one of seven demonstrator sites for the development of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme be noted.

(ii)          That the future intention is to procure a diabetes prevention programme across England be noted.

(iii)         That local delivery forms part of the Check4Life programme in County Durham be noted.

(iv)         That the preliminary findings from the check4Life and Just Beat it programmes and their implications be noted.

(v)          That the strategy group established by the CCGs to develop a diabetes service model be noted.