North West London Diabetes Prevention has been recognised for its leading preventative work on diabetes.

The group, which runs support programmes across Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Ealing and Hounslow, has won the national Quality in Care (QiC) award for its high commitment to ensuring residents at high risk of diabetes are detected at an early stage and offering a lifestyle service to prevent the onset of diabetes.

Leading the roll-out of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme across the five west London boroughs in 2016 was Hounslow's Public Health service, involving collaborative work between a number of groups including local authorities and clinical commissioning groups.

It's the largest initiative of its kind in England, with around 5,000 people already receiving support which ranges from information around minimising the chance of developing diabetes to support in learning how to live with the condition.

Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of a working age and contributes to heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure, and according to the NHS, around 22,000 people with diabetes die early every year.

Councillor Kamaljit Kaur, cabinet member for public health, Hounslow Council, said: "This national award is fantastic recognition for all the hard work that goes into a programme such as this.

"Here in Hounslow, we want to ensure we can provide the right services and support to the highest standard for all our residents who have, or live with someone who has, diabetes.

"The award also demonstrates the great partnership between local authorities and health organisations across the west London boroughs and the positive effect that working together has on what can be achieved.”

The QiC award praises good practice in patient care and is recognised by the NHS, charities, and patient organisations in the areas of improving patient experience, standards of care and outcomes.

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