UK-based Champneys health spa resorts have entered into partnership with the National Health Service (NHS), the publicly funded national healthcare system for the UK, to offer the diabetes education programme, Desmond.

The programme will be at the resorts at Champneys Tring in Hertfordshire and Champneys Springs in Leicestershire.

Desmond is an NHS programme developed by the Leicester Diabetes Centre that teaches people with Type 2 diabetes how to manage their condition, and is already delivered by more than 90 NHS trusts nationally.

“Lifestyle-related diabetes has become one of the fastest-growing health problems in today’s society,” said Louise Day, fitness and wellbeing director at Champneys. “A toxic mix of stress, low activity levels, poor diet on top of a possible inherited risk are being held responsible. Fortunately, positive lifestyle changes can make this condition manageable and reduce the risk of long-term health problems.

“We will guide and empower people with the condition towards a lifestyle-change approach to personal diabetes control. Our experts will be on hand to help guests find practical ways of improving their overall health and maintaining a positive approach to this condition.”

The courses at Champneys are catered for both those with established and newly diagnosed diabetes, as well as those at a high risk of developing the condition as a result of raised blood sugar levels or through family history.

The programme, which is run as part of an overnight retreat and as a day retreat, will include three core elements that cover diet, activity and education. The education will be delivered by Desmond educators, and the nutrition and fitness elements will be led by the Champneys team.

“Structured education programmes are a proven method to enable supported self-care in diabetes,” said Bernie Stribling, director of Desmond. “We welcome this partnership and the opportunity to ensure our high-quality, evidence-based is offered to more people.”

Champneys Living With Type 2 Diabetes One-Night Break offers lifestyle-based approaches that combine regular moderate exercise, good nutrition and a balanced outlook on modern life.

Champneys experts will be on hand to demonstrate that medication, though vitally important, is not the only solution. They will highlight practical solutions to help improve overall health and maintain a positive approach to each individual’s condition.

The programme includes three core elements.

• Diet - The food choices will concentrate on slowly digested and low glycaemic carbohydrates in the appropriate amounts with caffeine and alcohol in moderation. The experts will show how to eat well with a limit on overall fat and saturated fat intake and include beneficial lean proteins.
• Activity - Participants can tailor activities according to their individual abilities and goals with the expert’s recommendations. There will be a variety of exercise programmes available to offer participants the chance to try something new.
• Education - A full day of interactive learning to help individuals live and manage diabetes when returning home. The six-hour programme will also cover a cookery demonstration and the opportunity for participants to choose from either a 25-minute nutritionist consultation or a 25-minute fitness consultation.

Furthermore, there will also be time to enjoy the spa facilities and activity classes at the resort as well as a well-deserved spa treatment and an exclusive 20 per cent discount on Champneys own pre-booked spa treatments.

A day retreat, also focusing on positive lifestyle-based approaches, is also available.