The NHS wants to test whether or not a low calorie diet can be used to support patients in England. Eligible patients in certain areas will receive low calorie meal replacement products (e.g. bars, shakes, soups) and ongoing support to help manage their eating. The support aspect will be delivered and tested in three different ways: digital technology, face to face group support, or face to face one to one support.
What does the study aim to understand?
- Whether the low-calorie diet programme that has been tested in studies can work as well when delivered as part of the NHS, in helping patients to lose weight and improve their diabetes;
- What patients perceive to be the benefits and disadvantages of the programme;
- How much it costs the NHS, whether there are any costs to patients, and if so, if this a barrier to them completing the programme;
- Which method of support (1:1, group or digital) do patients prefer;
- What patients and staff involved in the programme think about it;
- Whether the programme is being delivered as it is intended (e.g. whether all eligible patients are being invited to receive the programme, whether patients are able to follow it as required, which eligible patients are not using the programme, or are having difficulty following it, and why).
- Whether the programme should be made available to every area across England, and if so, are any changes to the programme required before this happens.
