SUFFERERS of Type 2 diabetes in Lancashire are set to benefit from a new treatment.

According to the latest figures, 37,800 across Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and South Ribble and East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group areas have been diagnosed with the disease.

But patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria are set to benefit from expansion of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Programme, is part of a wider package of measures to support people with diabetes and those on the cusp of it, to stay fit, well and prevent further deterioration.

People referred by their GP on to the programme will get tailored, personalised help to reduce their risk.

This will include education on healthy eating and lifestyle choices, reducing weight through bespoke physical exercise programmes and portion control, which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Nearly 2.5 million adults and children in England diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes will also benefit from around £42 million of national funding which will be used to advance the care and treatment local diabetes patients receive this year.

Andy Curran, Medical Director for Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: "An important aspect of the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership for Lancashire and South Cumbria is that our health and care services need to work together to support people in our communities to live longer and healthier lives - including those affected by or at risk of diabetes mellitus.

“Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition which is affecting many people but that is also largely preventable.

“The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme will put people in control of their health by giving them the tools, information and support they need to make changes to their lifestyles that can significantly reduce their risk of the disease and the potential complications associated with it like stroke and kidney failure.”

Russ McClean, 56, Chair for patients across East Lancashire said: "As a diabetic, I am really pleased that the commissioners have decided to roll out the programme and give people the tools to look after themselves.

"We all know the NHS is falling down, it will take prevention to save money when it comes to diabetes."

There are currently five million people in England at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It is predicted that one in three people will be obese by 2034 and one in 10 will develop Type 2 diabetes.

Lancashire Telegraph health expert Dr Tom Smith said: "We've known for about 50 years that Type 2 diabetes would become a real problem, we saw it in America in the 1960s.

"If something doesn't change, diabetes is going to be the biggest health issue for our country in the future, not alzheimers, not cancer, Type 2 diabetes".