"Once the group began, we all joined in as usual and almost forgot the cameras were there! I was delighted to be interviewed afterwards and share my experiences."
Demetrius Georghiou - NDPP participant
Local residents from Battle in East Sussex participating in a groundbreaking diabetes prevention programme are set to star in a flagship BBC TV broadcast commemorating the 70th anniversary of the NHS.
The group of 13 local residents, including local Police Community Support Officer, Demetrius Georghiou, were filmed attending their monthly session of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, at the historic Memorial Hall on Battle High Street. The BBC filmed for almost three hours, capturing a session around how to identify healthier snack options and decipher food labels. They also interviewed several of the participants.
The footage, to be shown on the evening of 26th June 2018, on BBC Two, will form part of a short film to be broadcast during the NHS70 season’s centrepiece live broadcast. It will look at the huge impact of Type 2 diabetes on the NHS and the innovative ways being employed to tackle the growing problem.
Demetrius, 58, took an active part in the Healthier You session and was interviewed directly about his experience of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
“I was shocked to be told six months ago that my blood test indicated I was in danger of developing Type 2 diabetes,” said the well-known father of two. “I have an active job and thought I ate healthily but this course has taught me so much about hidden sugars, how to see through advertising and to properly understand labels. I’ve lost a stone and a half in weight and have honestly never felt fitter. I sleep better and feel great.
“Once the group began, we all joined in as usual and almost forgot the cameras were there! I was delighted to be interviewed afterwards and share my experiences. If it leads to any viewers of the programme signing up for the diabetes prevention programme and lowering their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes too then I’m happy.”
The Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme is delivered in the South East on behalf of NHS England by Ingeus. The 10-month course, developed in conjunction with the world-renowned Leicester Diabetes Centre, provides information, advice and support to people at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, encouraging small lifestyle changes to reduce their risk.
Ingeus health educator Jo Redfearn delivers the sessions in Battle and took a starring role during the filming.
“The Battle group are enthusiastic and motivated and have achieved so much in terms of making changes to their lifestyles; they were my natural thought when the BBC and NHS England approached us about filming.
“I was honoured to be chosen to showcase the diabetes prevention programme. It was a great opportunity to demonstrate how we support our participants to improve their future health and reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.”
The NHS turns 70 on 5 July 2018. The BBC is launching a wide-ranging series of programming centred on the NHS, its workforce and partners, and the hundreds of thousands of patients it sees every day. The diabetes segment of the live broadcast (commencing 8pm on Tuesday 26 June) will be presented by TV-regular and South London GP, Zoe Williams.