Evaluating the National Diabetes Prevention Programme in Salford
We’re conducting an independent evaluation of the The National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) demonstrator site in Salford.
The NDPP, an initiative of Public Health England, has commissioned seven demonstrator sites to explore the local implementation of lifestyle interventions for people at risk of developing diabetes. The demonstrators were commissioned up until the end of March 2016 and, based on the learning from the demonstrators, there will be a national roll-out of diabetes prevention initiatives in two phases from March 2016 and March 2017.
The model in Salford encourages referral of patients at risk of diabetes into a telephone-based intervention programme (Care Call) and/or an exercise programme through Salford Community Leisure. The referrals can be made through primary care using data held in clinical records at GP practices, or identification via a community approach, whereby outreach groups (Salford Health Improvement Service and Unique Improvements) engage with members of the public at various locations. They offer an initial risk assessment which can indicate whether people may be at increased risk of developing diabetes.
If an assessment result is 'moderate' or 'increased' then a pin-prick blood test to measure glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is recommended. HbA1c occurs when haemoglobin, a protein within red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body, joins with glucose in the blood. Results are available within a few minutes and measuring HbA1c gives an overall picture of what a person’s average blood sugar levels have been over a period of two to three months. People with medium to high levels of HbA1c are offered a referral into the Care Call service for further risk assessment and potential intervention to encourage lifestyle changes to lower their risk of developing diabetes.
Our evaluation will comprise of three reports. Work on the first two has already begun and will cover the following:
- Report 1 – by the end of April 2016. Describe the Care Call service model, present the evidence that underlies it, and look at the extent to which Salford's telephone-based intervention approach aligns with the service model and evidence underpinning diabetes prevention programmes.
- Report 2 – by the end of June 2016. Identify what role a) a community referral service, and b) an enhanced GP referral service can play in recruitment and retention for lifestyle support services for people at risk of developing diabetes. Describe the implementation of each of the referral routes and compare perceived benefits and risks associated with each.
The evaluation team will describe the Care Call service model and each of the referral routes using the TIDIER framework. Throughout February and March 2016 a large number of interviews were conducted to build up qualitative data for the reports. The team has linked in with stakeholders at various stages of the pathway to gain quantitative data about patient engagement and retention.
More information
For more information please contact Michael Spence, Programme Manager.
Date Published: 06/04/2016