Oviva helps Type 2 Diabetes patients to get rid of medication

The research project has been granted £387,000 of the recently announced extra £4m government funding towards healthtech innovations. The trial will support 300 people with Type 2 Diabetes across NHS GP practices in South West London and Buckinghamshire, which aims to help people achieve 15kg weight loss and Type 2 Diabetes remission without the need to attend face-to-face appointments.

The programme being trialled, entitled Oviva Diabetes 800, helps people with Type 2 Diabetes achieve rapid weight loss using an 800kcal diet for a 12 week period. The programme is a remote service, providing regular one-to-one support from a diabetes specialist dietitian and nurse via telephone and the NHS Digital approved Oviva app.

The app provides users with instant support and allows them to monitor their diet and goals to receive personalised feedback. Patients will also receive an electronic weight scale and activity tracker that connects to the app to support their weight loss.

To develop the technological strategy in aid of Type 2 Diabetes remission, Professor Jimmy Bell and the wider University of Westminster Health and Wellbeing team will work with the NHS and Oviva to gain an informed understanding of the environmental and genetic factors associated with the development and progression of Type 2 Diabetes.

Speaking about the trial, Professor Jimmy Bell said: “With this programme, industry and academia are aiming to tackle the problem of Type 2 Diabetes through the implementation of a digital behaviour change programme in a real-world situation. This is a unique opportunity which will lead not only to significant positive health impacts on the participants, but eventually the UK community as a whole.”

Dr Roni Saha, Diabetes consultant at St. George’s hospital and South West London Health and Care Partnership Clinical Lead for Diabetes, said “Type 2 Diabetes is a key priority across South West London and we are excited to assess the potential of digitally enabled care to help people improve their health and support remission of Type 2 Diabetes.”