A recent economic study has calculated the costs and savings involved in delivering the ground-breaking DiRECT programme through the NHS could save the health service money if remission programmes were to become available.
Researchers found that the remission plan would cost the NHS around £1,067 per patient in its first year – or £2,564 for each person who successfully goes into remission.
The team compared the treatment costs of the two groups in DiRECT, split by those who get the NHS care that is currently available and those on the weight loss programme.
It was found that by the end of the first 12 months of the DiRECT study, 46% of those taking part were in remission. Using this figure, the team estimated that each case of successful remission would cost the NHS £2,564.
Considering factors, like the cost of healthcare professional training and providing the low-calorie formula diet, they found that the 12-month programme would cost £1,067 for each patient.
At the moment, the cost of treating someone with Type 2 diabetes is estimated to be £2,801. But this figure includes the treatment of complications whereas the new analysis doesn't.
