Home »
Healthy Living is a free online service designed to provide advice and information to people living with type 2 diabetes, to help them better manage their condition.
As part of the initiative, GP practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes were asked to identify patients with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis and send them a text message encouraging them to register on the Healthy Living website.
Around 32,000 texts have been sent to patients in the area so far – with impressive results.
Data up until the end of January 2023 shows that patient registration numbers have risen from 179 to 3,231, which equates to over an 18-fold increase in registrations.
Nicky Poulain, Chief Primary Care Officer for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said: “The Healthy Living Programme is an excellent example of how technology can be used to support patients in managing their conditions effectively.
“By providing structured education and support, the programme can help patients with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis to better understand their condition and learn how to self-manage effectively.
“By encouraging GP practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to promote the programme to patients, we have seen a fantastic 18-fold increase in registrations, which should make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of local people.”
The Healthy Living programme is user-led and offers an alternative means of accessing support to the more traditional, group-based structured education programmes.
Originally developed by University College London (UCL), Healthy Living provides information about type 2 diabetes and its treatments, offers advice on emotional wellbeing, and helps with adopting and maintaining healthy behaviours.
Healthy Living is a free online NHS service. For more information and to register, visit www.healthyliving.nhs.uk
9 April 2025
ICB welcomes prospect of better health through boosts to local economy
Health chiefs have expressed their delight at the prospect of better health for local people, following two major economic announcements in recent days. Felicity Cox,…
8 April 2025
Breaking down barriers: Breast screening awareness event empowers neurodiverse adults
Autistic adults and those with learning disabilities were invited to attend an event to learn more about breast screening and the importance of early diagnosis…
8 April 2025
Innovative mentoring programme transforms leadership
A groundbreaking mentoring initiative at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board and Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is reshaping workplace culture and transforming leadership in a bid to…
3 April 2025
New children’s vaccination catch-up clinics announced for Easter holidays and beyond
A list of forthcoming catch-up clinics has been published, for children who have not received all of their routine immunisations. Parents have been encouraged to check their child’s vaccination record…
2 April 2025
New Women’s Health Network launched in Luton
Luton’s Women’s Health Network has been officially launched – putting women’s health at the forefront of the agenda and providing help and support to 112,000 women who live in the…
27 March 2025
“Last chance” call over flu vaccinations
Thousands of eligible people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who have not yet come forward for flu vaccinations have been reminded that they have only a few days left…