Digital inclusion project launched to improve diabetes care in Wales

Public Health Wales (PHW) has appointed collaborative service design consultancy Healthia to lead a project to boost the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.

The ‘Digital diabetes discovery’ project will develop an evidence-based framework to guide strategic decisions on digital and telecare/telehealth investments, ensuring maximum impact across the eight care processes for diabetes management in Wales.

Louisa Nolan, head of data science at PHW, said: “This discovery project is a vital step towards improving how we support people living with type 2 diabetes in Wales.

“By exploring innovative digital tools and addressing health inequalities, we can empower individuals to manage their health more effectively, enabling them to live healthier, longer lives.”

Wales has proportionally the highest levels of diabetes in the UK, with more than 220,000 people currently living with the disease. If current trends continue, by 2035 it is expected that there will be an additional 48,000 people with diabetes – equating to one in 11 adults.

Most of those living with diabetes in Wales have type 2 diabetes, a serious and sometimes lifelong condition which can cause major health problems.

The discovery project will focus on addressing disparities in health outcomes by understanding the barriers faced by underserved communities to ensure digital tools and solutions are accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone.

It will include understanding of rural communities, individuals with low digital literacy, and those with limited access to traditional healthcare services, fostering a more equitable future.

Sam Menter, managing director at Healthia, said, “This project is a chance to transform diabetes care in Wales by combining cutting-edge digital innovation with a deep understanding of what people need.

“By working closely with PHW and communities, we can advance the NHS’s prevention agenda and tackle health inequalities head-on.”

The project will contribute to the work of the ‘Tackling diabetes together’ programme, which has been set up by PHW with the aim of bringing about a step-change in diabetes management and prevention across Wales.

It is taking a system wide approach collaborating across NHS Wales, the clinical diabetes network, third-sector partners, communities and those living with diabetes to enable the benefits of focusing on prevention, and effective care for those living with diabetes.

By 2028/2029, the programme is committed to having more people living well with diabetes types 1 and 2, as measured through a reduction in amputations and other diabetes pathways.

It also aims to stop the prevalence of diabetes increasing, focusing principally on type 2 diabetes.

Healthia will build on its experience through previous service design and user research projects for NHS England, NHS Gloucestershire, NHS Mid and South Essex, NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, as well as for charities including Macmillan and Breast Cancer Now.

Meanwhile, researchers at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust have developed an AI tool which could identify people at risk of type 2 diabetes up to 10 years before they begin to develop the disease, allowing for early interventions.