NHS Type 2 Path to Remission programme also knows as Low Calorie Diet

People in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can access the NHS Type 2 path to remission programme also known as low calorie diet programme.

It is a total diet replacement approach, with the aim of helping participants to lose over 10kg in weight, improving their blood sugar levels, reducing the need for diabetes-related medication and even putting their type 2 diabetes into remission.

Tell me more about the programme

The NHS and its partner Diabetes UK are delivering a new programme which provides a low calorie, total diet replacement treatment for people who are living with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight known as: the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme.​  

The programme, previously referred to as the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme, is based on research showing that a 3-month specially formulated ‘soup and shake’ diet followed by healthy lifestyle support helped people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight to lose over 10kg in weight, improve their blood sugar levels, reduce diabetes-related medication and, in almost half of participants, put their type 2 diabetes into remission.​

The programme builds on the approaches of the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), and the Doctor Referral of Overweight People to Low Energy total diet replacement Treatment (DROPLET) Randomised Control Trials (RCTs), reflecting the evidence base developed by both trials.​  

Aims of the service are to help individuals with type 2 diabetes :  
1. Reduction in weight​.
2. Reduction in HBA1C levels​.
3. Reduction in diabetes related medication intake.​
4. Achieve Remission of type 2 diabetes.​
5. Support healthy lifestyle.
​6. Participant acceptance and retention.
7. Improve programme referral uptake.

Local Programme delivered by Momenta Newcastle

The service provides patient choice of an in-person or digital coached one-to-one service over 12 months, including 12 weeks of 800-900 kcal/day formula diet. 

Locally the programme is delivered by Momenta Newcastle. Referrals can be made by health care professionals including GPs, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and other approved individuals.  Clinical responsibility remains with the patient’s GP and medications adjustment guidance must be signed off by an appropriate professional.​

It is suitable for some adults aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the last six years and living with overweight or obesity. If you are eligible, you will be contacted by your GP and invited to join the programme which is provided locally by Momenta Newcastle.  

Patients should have attended monitoring and a diabetes review in last 12 months, including retinal screening, and commit to continue annual reviews, even if achieve remission.  If newly diagnosed no need to wait for retinal screening.

HbA1c within 12 months, with values as follows:

•           If on diabetes medication, HbA1c >=43 mmol/mol

•           If not on diabetes medication, HbA1c >=48 mmol/mol In all cases, HbA1c must be <=87 mmol/mol

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Success of the programme so far

As of February 2023, more than 2,000 people with type 2 diabetes have improved their health by following this programme. Early data shows that participants each lose 7.2kg (over one stone) on average after one month, and 13.4kg (over two stone) after three months. It also shows that people on the programme who are eating and drinking the low-calorie alternatives not only lose weight but keep it off over time. Trials also showed that around half of people who had similar weight loss were able to achieve remission of their type 2 diabetes after one year.

For more information about our local programme visit Nottingham & Nottinghamshire: NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission – Momenta Newcastle