60 local residents attended a special event at Maghull Town Hall to learn more about diabetes prevention. The event was part of a flagship programme which has special courses taking place at the Town Hall.

The ‘Healthier You’ diabetes prevention courses have been organised by NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in partnership with Living Well Taking Control who deliver it as part of the local diabetes prevention strategy.

Diabetes currently affects around 3.7 million people in the UK and it is estimated that one in five people will develop Type 2 diabetes by 2025, if current trends persist. In Sefton alone, around 6,500 people have been identified as at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes although it is estimated that a further 26,000 local people are yet to be identified.

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, many cases of Type 2 diabetes are preventable. Since the local prevention programme was launched 18 months ago, 1,300 Sefton residents have joined the programme which has experts on hand to help people make sustainable changes to their diet and lifestyle.

As part of National Diabetes Prevention Week, NHS South Sefton CCG worked with local GP practices to invite patients at risk of developing the condition to the information event to learn more about Type 2 diabetes and how it can be prevented.  As a result, over 60 residents registered to join the programme and will be attending the courses at Maghull Town Hall over the coming weeks.

Dr Nigel Taylor, clinical lead for diabetes at NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “It was really pleasing to see so many people come along and register for the courses. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented in the vast majority of cases and so raising awareness of the condition and encouraging people to take action before it’s too late can make all the difference.

“Diabetes can lead to serious complications such as amputation and even premature death so I would strongly advise anyone who has concerns to visit the Living Well Taking Control website for more information www.lwtcsupport.co.uk”

GP practices in Maghull are contacting people who have been identified as ‘at risk’ of developing Type 2 diabetes with information about how to enrol on the course. Anyone who has received a letter is encouraged to use the contact details provided to find out more.