NHS Rolls Out Expanded Diabetes Self-Management Education Across England

What happened, why it matters, and what to know

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) has been awarded a five-year contract to take over delivery of NHS England's Healthy Living service, a national digital programme providing structured education and self-management support for adults living with diabetes. Announced by the Leicester Diabetes Centre on 6 August 2026, with further confirmation from the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation on 11 August 2026, the service will be delivered through MyDESMOND, a digital platform built on the long-established DESMOND programme, developed from Leicester-led research over 20 years ago. The contract expands the national offer to include structured education for adults with type 1 diabetes for the first time, alongside an enhanced service for type 2 diabetes. The updated platform launches in autumn 2026, open to adults 18 and over across England, delivered in partnership with Promatica Digital Ltd. Why this matters: diabetes is one of the most common long-term conditions in the country. More than 4.6 million people in the UK have a diagnosed diabetes, and around one in five adults lives with diabetes or prediabetes when undiagnosed cases are included, according to Diabetes UK. Structured education can be the difference between confidently adjusting insulin doses and feeling permanently anxious about getting it wrong. A national digital service people can join directly, rather than waiting for local referral, matters for anyone juggling work or caring responsibilities. Including type 1 diabetes for the first time is a significant change. What the evidence says: DESMOND has been used and studied for over two decades, historically focused on type 2 diabetes. Confirmed so far are the contract award, its five-year term, the autumn 2026 launch, and features including tailored content, peer forums, health trackers and activity challenges. Independent, peer-reviewed evidence on outcomes for the newly expanded type 1 strand is not yet published, since it is a new addition rather than an evaluated programme. Qurexa perspective: this sits close to what Qurexa cares about every day - helping people manage long-term medication and self-care with confidence, not just receive a prescription and hope for the best. A free, national digital education service that people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can join directly reduces one of the biggest barriers to good self-management. For people managing insulin or other diabetes medicines alongside repeat prescriptions, tools like health trackers and peer forums can complement practical medication support. Practical advice: ask your GP practice or diabetes team whether you're registered for a structured education programme. Keep a note of your NHS number and diagnosis date for enrolling when the service opens in autumn 2026. If you already use a diabetes app, check with your diabetes nurse whether it can work alongside any new NHS service. For anyone newly diagnosed, Diabetes UK and NHS.uk publish free, reviewed information on managing blood glucose, diet and medication. If you're less confident with apps, ask your practice about non-digital alternatives. Disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a doctor, pharmacist, teacher or other qualified professional as appropriate. Sources: Leicester Diabetes Centre, "Research developed in Leicester to transform diabetes care across England through new national NHS service" (6 Aug 2026); Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation (11 Aug 2026); Diabetes UK, "One in five adults now live with diabetes or prediabetes in the UK".