West Essex diabetes patients see record weight loss

West Essex diabetes patients are shaping up for the summer after a group education programme has helped them lose a record amount of weight.

For the second year running South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has been presented with an award from charity X-PERT Health, after west Essex patients attending sessions reported the most improved body weight and waist circumference out of 76 organisations across the UK. Over 12 months patients lost an average of 6.5kg and decreased their waist circumference by 9.6cms. This year they were also runners up in the category for the greatest improvement in cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The awards were presented by  Dr Stephen Lawrence, Clinical Lead and Medical Advisor in Primary Care for the Royal College of General Practitioners and Diabetes UK.

“Organisations like South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are making a real difference to the lives of so many people with diabetes – well done for carrying the banner and providing the evidence we need to keep pushing diabetes education to the top of the agenda.”

Claire Thomas, X-PERT Lead for SEPT West Essex said. “The dietitians delivering X-PERT and the excellent administrative support it receives ensures that for West Essex diabetes patients the programme is not only fun and informative but most importantly can be shown to be effective and I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of the team.”

The X-PERT Diabetes Programme is for people with type 2 diabetes and focuses on diabetes self-management, weight control, physical activity, blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol control.

For more information about West Essex X-PERT please contact Joanne Gallagher,

Diabetes Education Co-ordinator, Tel: 01992 561666 (Ext. 5469) or email: joanne.gallagher@nhs.net