NHS Wales unveils new support for people with diabetes
NHS Wales is introducing a comprehensive package of enhanced diabetes support following new research that explored how people with Type 2 diabetes can be better supported to live well with their condition.
Commissioned by Public Health Wales, the study was carried out by Beaufort Research between February and May 2025.
It involved detailed discussions with 50 adults living with Type 2 diabetes and 15 healthcare professionals across Wales.
The research found that people with Type 2 diabetes are highly motivated to manage their condition when they receive clear and timely information, but many struggle to take in complex details around the time of diagnosis.
It also found that healthcare professionals want to provide consistent, empowering care but need better tools and resources to do so.
Participants reported difficulties in accessing services due to appointment availability, timing and transport issues, while clinicians described pressures such as workload, staff shortages and limited psychological support for patients.
Dr Esther Mugweni, Deputy Head of Evaluation at Public Health Wales, said:
“What struck us most was the strong commitment from both patients and healthcare professionals to work together to optimise outcomes. To be able to effectively self-manage diabetes a person needs tailor made information and the opportunity to ask questions, as and when they need to and this is impossible to deliver in any one healthcare appointment. This research has given us a clear understanding of how we can better support both groups to achieve their shared goals.”
Building on these findings, Public Health Wales’ Tackling Diabetes Together Programme is developing four new initiatives to strengthen support for patients and healthcare professionals. These include:
An Enhanced Digital Support Hub providing trusted NHS Wales information for patients, families and professionals.
Healthcare Professional Support Pack to help clinicians deliver consistent, empowering advice.
NHS Wales App Enhancements with diabetes-specific tools for tracking progress and staying connected with care teams.
Strengthened Peer Support through links with NHS organisations, Diabetes UK Cymru, T1D Breakthrough and public sector partners.
David Taylor, Transformation Director at Public Health Wales, said:
“Diabetes without proper treatment destroys and shortens lives. But with the right care, support and information, people with diabetes can live long and healthy lives. For someone newly diagnosed, the right support may even lead to remission. This is why it’s so important that they receive the right level of support to enable them to do this.”
“These initiatives will ensure every person diagnosed in Wales gets that foundation of support from day one and working together with our dedicated healthcare professionals, complement our existing All Wales Diabetes Prevention Programme, which reduces the risk of people with pre-diabetes progressing to diabetes by 23 per cent.”
Dr Julia Platts, National Clinical Lead for Diabetes in Wales, said:
“A person with diabetes makes around 180 decisions daily to effectively self-manage their condition. To do this they need a huge amount of knowledge on diet, activity, understanding of administering insulin, or other medications and how these three elements interact together, treatment of high and/or low glucose and what to do when unwell, menstrual changes, or changes to their daily routines.
“We welcome this enhanced wrap around support that will enable the person with diabetes to access support when they need it, feel confident in making these decisions, and to know when and where to go to when they need clinical support.”
Public Health Wales said people with diabetes spend an estimated 8,757 hours per year managing their condition independently, compared with just three hours with healthcare professionals.
With more than 220,000 people in Wales living with diabetes, the Tackling Diabetes Together Programme aims to improve outcomes and ensure people have the right tools, information and support to live well with their condition.
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