Type 2 Diabetes: An Update on Medicines and Treatment in Greater Manchester
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, known as NICE, provides national advice to the NHS on safe, effective and good-value care. NICE has updated its guidance on the treatment of type 2 diabetes, in a document known as NICE NG28.
Choosing the right care for you
Everyone living with type 2 diabetes is different: there is no “one size fits all”.
The updated guidance encourages your diabetes team to work with you to agree the care that best suits your needs and preferences. This includes considering any other health conditions you may have, your risk of diabetes-related complications, and the treatments available.
Going to your diabetes appointments is one of the best ways to make sure your care is right for you. It gives you the chance to ask questions, talk about what matters to you, and discuss any concerns about your treatment.
By working with your diabetes team, you can decide together the right combination of healthy lifestyle changes and medicines to help you stay well, feel your best, and achieve your personal goals.
Improving type 2 diabetes knowledge and education
Living with type 2 diabetes can feel overwhelming at times, but you do not have to do it alone.
There are a range of free diabetes education and support services available to help you understand and manage your condition in a way that works for you.
MyWay Diabetes Manchester is a free online service designed to help you understand and manage your diabetes. It offers trusted information, practical advice, and support whenever you need it.
MyWay Diabetes Greater Manchester can help you:
Learn more about type 2 diabetes and diabetes medicines.
Find advice on healthy eating, physical activity, and weight management.
Build your confidence in managing your diabetes day to day.
Understand your diabetes results and health checks.
Access education and support from home.
You may also wish to explore other type 2 diabetes education and support options, including:
Local face-to-face diabetes education programmes – speak to your GP practice or diabetes specialist team to find out which type 2 diabetes education and support services are available to you.
The Diabetes UK Learning Zone, which offers free online courses and resources.
The NHS Healthy Living programme, a free online programme for people living with type 2 diabetes.
The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme, a low calorie treatment for people in Greater Manchester living with Type 2 diabetes who are above a healthy weight.
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme, a free, 12 week online programme that provides access to weight management plans.
Diabetes medications and medication reviews
The guidance recommends that your medicines are reviewed regularly to make sure they continue to best support your diabetes, and wider health needs. The updated NICE guidance is very different from the previous guidance.
NICE now recommends that most people with type 2 diabetes are offered metformin and an SGLT2 inhibitor (such as dapagliflozinm empagliflozin, or canagliflozin).
For some people, a GLP-1 receptor agonist (e.g. ozempic) or tirzepatide may also be recommended.
Putting these recommendations into practice may mean that, over time, many people are offered different medicines to those that they currently take. Because this is a big change, it will take time to introduce safely. As with any new guidance before changes are made, the local NHS needs to agree that it:
Provides the best possible care for people with type 2 diabetes.
Is good value for NHS resources.
Is affordable and sustainable in the long term.
Has been approved through the appropriate local governance processes.
What does this mean for your medicines?
For now, there are no immediate changes to the medicines routinely prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes in Greater Manchester. Healthcare professionals have been advised to continue following the current Greater Manchester prescribing guidance while the review is taking place.
If your diabetes is going well, there is no need to worry; your current care can continue as planned. Many people manage their type 2 diabetes effectively with their current medicines, healthy lifestyle choices, and support from their healthcare team.
What should you do?
Keep in touch with your diabetes team.
Attend all your scheduled appointments.
Make sure you know as much as you can about your diabetes.
Keep taking your diabetes medication as prescribed.
Do not stop or change your medication without speaking to a healthcare professional.
Speak to your GP, practice nurse, pharmacist, or diabetes specialist team if you have questions about your treatment.
Visit MyWay Diabetes Manchester for information and support to help you manage your diabetes.
Keep in touch with your diabetes team.