Pennine GP Alliances Diabetes Care Coordinator, Angela Forsey, shares her experience as both a patient and healthcare professional on the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Pathway to Remission Programme(T2DR)
Angela Forsey, a dedicated Diabetes Care Coordinator at Pennine GP Alliance (PGPA), has embarked on a transformative journey with the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Pathway to Remission Programme(T2DR), which aims to help participants achieve significant weight loss and improve their glucose regulation. What makes Angela’s story particularly compelling is that, in addition to her role as a healthcare professional, she is also a participant in the program, managing her own Type 2 diabetes.
Getting Involved: A Personal Decision with Professional Insights
Angela’s journey into the program began when she discovered it through her work. As a person living with Type 2 diabetes, she was drawn to the structure and comprehensive nature of the program. The Pathway to Remission Programme offers a year-long plan, divided into three phases: 12 weeks of soups and shakes for weight loss, followed by 6 weeks of gradually reintroducing healthy meals, and an additional 8 months of ongoing support to help maintain weight loss.
Having evaluated her eligibility, Angela reached out to her GP, who referred her to the program. Within 10 days, she was contacted by Xyla, the organization administering the program on behalf of the NHS in West Yorkshire. After consultations, she was offered a place and began the program as a patient, while also providing feedback on how the initiative could better serve individuals with Type 2 diabetes, particularly those with learning disabilities or severe mental illness.
The Program’s Impact: Positive Changes and Lasting Benefits
The main objective of the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Pathway to Remission Programme(T2DR) is to help participants achieve weight loss and improved blood glucose levels, with the ultimate aim of reducing the risk of future complications. For Angela, this meant a concerted effort to reduce her body fat, which would help her better manage her blood glucose levels and improve her overall health.
Over the course of her participation, Angela has experienced several positive outcomes. She has lost weight, reduced her body fat, and feels healthier and more energetic. Her cravings for sugary foods have diminished, and she reports improved sleep quality and reduced daytime fatigue. Additionally, Angela has noticed a visible difference in her appearance, having dropped a dress size and lost two inches from her waist.
The program has also supported Angela’s physical activity goals, with her now completing 150 minutes of light exercise each week. “I feel so much better about life,” she says, reflecting on her newfound energy and improved outlook.
Challenges and Successes: Staying Committed Through the Tough Times
Like many participants, Angela faced challenges during the program. She found the limited variety of soups and shakes monotonous, but she found ways to make the meals more enjoyable by adding herbs and spices to the soups and drinking the shakes as hot drinks during the winter.
Angela emphasises that one of the key lessons she has learned from the program is the importance of mindset and behaviour change. “It’s about keeping your goal in mind and visualising the outcome,” she explains. “The program requires serious commitment, but the rewards are life changing. For me, it’s not just about losing weight—it’s about reducing my need for diabetes-related medication and feeling better about myself.”
The Role of Support: A Key Ingredient for Success
One of the most valuable aspects of the program, according to Angela, is the ongoing support she has received. “Having a personal adviser who checks in with you every week during the first 12 weeks, and then every two weeks after that, has been essential for my success,” Angela shares. This regular contact, along with the support of her colleagues, has helped her stay on track and motivated throughout the program.
Angela’s colleagues at Pennine GP Alliance have also been a major source of encouragement. “Their regular check-ins and words of support have been invaluable to me,” she says. “Knowing that I have their backing has made all the difference in keeping me focused.”
Broader Implications: A Path to Cost-Effective Diabetes Care
The potential of the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Pathway to Remission Programme(T2DR) goes beyond individual success stories. The program offers a cost-effective approach to managing Type 2 diabetes, which is estimated to cost the NHS £10 billion each year. By helping individuals achieve weight loss and better glucose regulation, the program could help reduce the long-term healthcare costs associated with the disease.
Angela believes the program could also serve as a preventative tool for those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. “By targeting pre-diabetic individuals, this program could help prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes and alleviate future healthcare burdens,” she says.
A Message to Healthcare Professionals: Be Part of the Change
Angela encourages other healthcare professionals and researchers to consider getting involved in the program. “Having lived experience allows you to better understand the patient journey,” she explains. “Being part of such a program can truly make a difference in someone’s quality of life.”
For those considering joining the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Pathway to Remission Programme(T2DR), Angela offers one piece of advice: “It’s not easy, and it’s not for everyone. But if you’re ready to make a serious commitment and change your mindset, the program can be life-changing.”
Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Angela
As Angela continues her journey, she is not only feeling healthier but is also inspiring those around her. The support she’s received, the weight loss she’s achieved, and the positive feedback from colleagues have all contributed to a renewed sense of purpose and hope for the future.
“I’ve learned to set smaller, more attainable goals and not to beat myself up when things get tough,” Angela reflects. “It’s been a challenge, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. I feel like I’m on the path to becoming the best version of myself—fit, healthy, and ready to take on whatever comes next.”