Angela Forsey, who lives in Halifax, West Yorkshire, is a Diabetes Care Coordinator for Pennine GP Alliance. She is both a healthcare professional and one of 590 participants who have taken up a place on the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme in West Yorkshire.
After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Angela sought out the programme both to improve her own health and to provide professional insights into how it could better serve patients, particularly those with learning disabilities or severe mental illness.
Angela's involvement began when she learned about the programme through her work. After confirming her eligibility, she contacted her GP for a referral and was quickly contacted by Xyla, one of the organisations managing the programme on behalf of the NHS.
The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Pathway to Remission (T2DR) Programme is an innovative and free service for people who are overweight and living with type 2 diabetes. It includes both 1:1 digital and face-to-face offers. The one-year programme supports healthier lifestyles, weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes by combining specialist nutrition, behaviour change strategies and physical activity to support rapid weight loss and long-term lifestyle changes.
The structured 12-month plan appealed to Angela, consisting of three key phases:
- 12 weeks of soups and shakes for weight loss
- Six weeks of reintroducing healthy meals
- Eight months of ongoing support to maintain progress
Positive changes and lasting benefits
For Angela, the programme has yielded remarkable results. She has lost weight and body fat, which has helped her manage her blood glucose levels and improve her overall well-being. Her energy levels have increased, cravings for sugary foods have diminished and sleep quality has improved. Physically, she has dropped a dress size and lost two inches from her waist while incorporating 150 minutes of light exercise into her weekly routine.
Challenges and solutions
Despite the programme's benefits, Angela faced challenges, including the limited variety of meal replacement options. She tackled this by using herbs and spices to enhance the flavour of soups and drinking shakes warm during the colder months. She also learned to stay focused on her goals by visualising success and reminding herself of the health benefits of completing the programme.
A key takeaway for Angela was the importance of behavioural change. She credits the Wellbeing App and support from trained coaches at Xyla for helping her navigate obstacles and maintain motivation.
“Having a personal adviser, who checks in with you every week during the first 12 weeks and then every two weeks after that, has been essential for my success,” she says.
Call to action
Angela encourages others to consider the programme, emphasising that while the first 12 weeks are challenging, the results are life-changing. She also urges healthcare professionals to become involved, as having lived experience allows them to better understand the patient journey and improve diabetes care delivery.
Reflecting on her journey, Angela remains motivated to maintain her progress and inspire others. She identifies the most rewarding part of her involvement in the programme as the noticeable reduction in body fat, the ongoing support meetings and the positive feedback from friends and colleagues who have noticed her transformation. Their encouragement has played a pivotal role in boosting her morale and keeping her motivated.
“I’ve learned to set smaller, more attainable goals and not to beat myself up when things get tough,” she says. “The programme has been challenging, but incredibly rewarding. I feel like I’m becoming the best version of myself - fit, healthy and ready for the future.”
Empower
In January 2025 we further enhanced our support for individuals in the Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission (T2DR) Programme through a pilot initiative called Empower. Empower provides tailored psychological support to help participants overcome mental and emotional barriers to lifestyle changes. Delivered in collaboration with Xyla, Empower ensures accessibility by providing sessions via phone or video, available seven days a week.
Type 2 diabetes is estimated to cost the NHS £10 billion every year. Angela’s story highlights the broader implications of diabetes remission in terms of reducing the long-term risk of diabetes complications and enhancing overall wellbeing while also cutting healthcare costs.