Overview
NHS Wales has launched three diabetes management applications to enhance diabetes care across the region. These apps are part of a broader initiative that has already assisted over 10,000 individuals through a face-to-face program.
Investment in Digital Health
The Welsh government has secured a Wales-wide license for these applications, which aim to:
- Support the prevention of Type 2 diabetes for high-risk individuals.
- Facilitate self-management for those already diagnosed with diabetes.
Diabetes Statistics in Wales
According to Diabetes UK Cymru, approximately one in five adults in Wales is affected by diabetes or prediabetes.
Expert Insights
Jim McManus, National Director for Health and Wellbeing at Public Health Wales, emphasized the importance of self-management for individuals with Type 2 diabetes:
“The ability of a person living with Type 2 diabetes to self-manage their condition is essential to them being able to live well and for longer. On average, a person with diabetes spends just three hours a year with healthcare professionals and 8,757 hours managing their condition on their own. To do this effectively, consistent support is crucial.”
Details of the Apps
The apps, which are available for free to residents of Wales, include:
- MyDESMOND Wales – for Type 2 diabetes management.
- Let’s Prevent Wales – aimed at pre-diabetic individuals.
- Baby Steps – designed for those experiencing gestational diabetes.
Users can access:
- Weekly tracking dashboards to monitor their progress.
- Interactive learning modules for educational content.
- Activity tracking features to encourage physical movement.
- An “ask the expert” function for clinical guidance.
- Goal-setting tools to promote adherence and behavioral change.
- A supportive digital community with over 30,000 members.
Future Developments
In February 2025, Public Health Wales appointed Healthia to spearhead a digital diabetes discovery project. This initiative aims to:
- Address health disparities in diabetes care.
- Develop an evidence-based framework for strategic digital health investments.
This project is expected to maximize the impact of digital solutions across the eight care processes for diabetes management in Wales.