NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme (T2DR)

Our free, NHS-approved programme could help you reverse type 2 diabetes, lose weight and reduce or even stop your medication.

What is the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme?

Formerly known as the NHS Low-Calorie Diet Programme and commonly referred to as the ‘NHS Soups and Shakes’ diet, this innovative service offers a new avenue for individuals with type 2 diabetes.   

The programme integrates specialised nutrition, psychology, and physical activity interventions to facilitate rapid weight loss, foster lasting behavioural changes, and promote type 2 diabetes remission, reversing your diabetes.   

Your journey through the programme is guided by dedicated health and wellbeing diabetes practitioners, providing consistent support through regular contact and access to online learning and supplementary resources.   

The programme enables you to benefit from the collective expertise of GPs, practice nurses, diabetes practitioners, dietitians, clinical psychologists, and exercise specialists. This ensures you receive comprehensive support every step of the way.   

What are the benefits of the programme?

Improved blood glucose control

Weight loss (average 12kg)

Reduce or stop diabetes medication

Potential to put diabetes in remission

It’s free!

How does The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme work?

For the first 12 weeks of the programme, you will follow a low-calorie diet (typically shakes and soups).

Following this, we will work with you to healthily reintroduce food into your diet, focusing on movement and maintaining a new healthy eating lifestyle.

Onboarding

Getting you started

You will be supported by one of our friendly team members who will talk you through the programme and support you to decide whether you would like to undertake our programme digitally or face-to-face.

Stage 1

TDR Phase

You will replace your usual diet with your chosen total diet replacement (TDR) products for 12 weeks. You will also start working with one of our diabetes practitioners on a range of behavioral change sessions.

Stage 2

Food re-introduction phase

Our diabetes practitioners will support you to re-introduce food into your diet in a safe healthy way. This includes helping with meal planning and understanding nutrition and a healthy balanced diet.

Stage 3

Weight maintenance phase

The final phase of the programme will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to continue to achieve your health and wellbeing goals and hopefully put your type 2 diabetes into remission.

How do we deliver The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme?

No matter whether you choose our Face to Face 1-1 or Digital 1-1 programme, we will work together over 12 months, and the support you will receive during this time will include:

  • An initial one-to-one assessment
  • 20 sessions with your Health & Wellbeing diabetes practitioner
  • Ongoing online support modules
  • A final one-to-one assessment

How to join the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme   

If the programme is being offered to residents in your area, talk to your healthcare professional to sign up for the programme.   

Please note you will need to meet various other eligibility criteria, be willing to commit to the 12-month programme and you need a referral from your GP to be referred to the service.  

Sign up for our free patient information session
Patient information sheet

Who’s eligible for The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme?

You must be:

  • Registered with a GP practice in one of our delivery areas
  • Aged 18–65 years
  • Have had a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years
  • Have a BMI over 27 kg/m2 (or over 25 kg/m2 if you are of Black, Asian or minority ethnic origin). To check your BMI click here
  • You also need to meet various other eligibility criteria and be willing to commit to the 12-month programme to be referred to the service

You must not be:

  • A current insulin user
  • Someone who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy in the next 12 months
  • Someone who has had bariatric surgery
  • Someone who has completed the T2DR programme in the last 12 months

Our patient information leaflets are also available in different languages

Richard’s Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Journey

Richard in Eastbourne was referred by his GP practice in September 2022 to the Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme provided by Xyla Health and Wellbeing. Since starting the programme, Richard has seen some amazing outcomes and would like to share his journey.

“I have achieved more than I could have imagined”

Read Richard’s full story here

Want to learn more?

I am a GP/HCP

Learn more about the programme

Taking those initial steps to change your lifestyle can be challenging, but we are here to help you through every step of the way. Here’s what some of our service users have to say about us. 

Sign up for one of our free Information Sessions

We are running patient information sessions via Microsoft Teams to provide you with an overview of what you can expect from the programme.

Each session will last approximately 30-45 minutes and will give you all the information you need to know.

Sign up here

A few words from one of our diabetes practitioners…  

A few words from one of our diabetes practitioners…   

“As a diabetes practitioner I believe the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme provides hope for those diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.   

The Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme has benefited my Service Users by placing them on the path to remission, which will allow them to take charge of their health, improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of developing health complications from Type-2 Diabetes.”   

Amy Carman | Senior Engagement Lead & Diabetes Practitioner 

Frequently asked questions

What total diet replacement (TDR) products will I be using?

Xyla has partnered with Altralife for your nutritionally complete Total Diet Replacement meals.   ​

When you join the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme, you will have access to 8 different flavours of Total Diet Replacement products.

Where is the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme available?  

The programme is delivered throughout England, we provide the programme in the following areas: 

    • Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

    • Derbyshire

    • Gloucestershire

    • Kent & Medway

    • Northamptonshire

    • West Yorkshire

    • Black Country

    • Lincolnshire

    • Hampshire and Isle of Wight

What is remission?

Type 2 diabetes remission signifies a state where your blood sugar levels fall below the diabetic range without the need for diabetic medication.

Is remission the same as reversing type 2 diabetes?

While some may refer to this as “reversing” Type 2 diabetes, we prefer the term “remission” because the condition can possibly return.

Research from studies such as the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) and the Doctor Referral of Overweight People to Low Energy Total Diet Replacement Treatment (DROPLET) indicates that remission is most feasible shortly after diagnosis and is closely associated with weight loss.

It’s important to note that remission isn’t guaranteed for everyone, as current research indicates.

Nevertheless, there are numerous other benefits to shedding excess weight. By following the programme, you can anticipate losing approximately 10% or more of your initial weight.

Is this programme right for me?

Three questions to ask yourself:

    1. Can I complete 12 weeks on full total diet replacement? (typically soups, porridge and shakes)

    1. Do I feel ready to make long-term sustainable changes to my lifestyle?

    1. Can I commit to doing this programme for 12 months with support from a Diabetes Practitioner, others on the programme and online learning?

Who’s eligible for The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme?

You must be:

    • Registered with a GP practice in one of our delivery areas

    • Aged 18–65 years

    • Have had a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years

    • Have a BMI over 27 kg/m2 (or over 25 kg/m2 if you are of Black, Asian or minority ethnic origin). To check your BMI click here

    • You also need to meet various other eligibility criteria and be willing to commit to the 12-month programme to be referred to the service

Please note you will need to meet various other eligibility criteria, be will

You must not be:

    • A current insulin user

    • Someone who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy in the next 12 months

    • Someone who has had bariatric surgery

    • Someone who has completed the T2DR programme in the last 12 months

Get in touch

Call 0333 577 3561 to speak to a member of our Patient Support team.

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