DESMOND launches major update to its type 2 diabetes education curriculum

By Editor
25th March 2026
Education, Good practice Type 2 diabetes

The DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self‑Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) Programme has launched Version 7 of its nationally acclaimed type 2 diabetes education curriculum, marking a major milestone.

This update is the most comprehensive in the programme’s 20‑year history and reflects the significant advances in diabetes understanding, clinical guidance, behaviour‑change research and inclusive health communication.

Led by the Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC), the update draws on more than 20 months of expert collaboration, piloting, educator feedback, participant insights and rigorous testing.

Our understanding of type 2 diabetes has evolved rapidly in recent years. Evidence relating to gut hormones, fat storage, remission, sleep, physical activity and mental wellbeing has expanded, alongside major developments in treatment options such as GLP‑1 therapies.

At the same time, the growing use of virtual education, an increased focus on health literacy and the need for more inclusive language highlighted the importance of refreshing the DESMOND curriculum.

The aim was to ensure the curriculum remained clear, engaging and aligned with the lives and needs of people living with type 2 diabetes today.

The review began in mid-2024 and drew on a wide range of expertise, including:

  • Physical activity specialists
  • Dietitians and nutrition scientists
  • Behavioural science and psychology experts
  • Self-management interventionalists
  • Clinical academics
  • DESMOND educators, trainers, and participants
  • International colleagues, including partners in Australia.

The team worked within the established DESMOND delivery structure of six hours of content, delivered by two trained educators, while exploring creative ways to modernise the learning experience.

Throughout 2025, the updated content was piloted multiple times. Sessions were observed, timings tested and feedback gathered after each round.

Only once the team was confident that the updates enhanced learning, maintained DESMOND’s facilitative, person-centred style and fit within real‑world delivery did the programme move to final proofing, printing, and production.

The updated curriculum introduces significant enhancements across both content and delivery. Key changes include:

  • Modernised materials
  • Expanded understanding of type 2 diabetes
  • Updated treatment and management content
  • Monitoring, remission and self‑management
  • Major revisions to dietary education
  • Cardiovascular health and long‑term implications
  • New focus on diabetes distress and diabetes-related stigma
  • Physical activity and the “5Ss”
  • Strengthened behaviour change techniques.

Reflecting on the scale of the update, Alison Northern, Implementation Lead for DESMOND, said: “In my 20 years working on the DESMOND Programme, we have never undertaken a revision so large.

“We wanted to ensure we brought the newest evidence to life in a way that was meaningful for people with type 2 diabetes. I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved.”

Michelle Hadjiconstantinou, DESMOND Academic and Psychology Lead, added: “Maintaining the DESMOND philosophy around person-centredness and empowerment was essential.

“As a behavioural programme, DESMOND fosters a safe and supportive environment for self-exploration, shared learning and encouragement across the groups.””

Vicki Johnson, Lead Research Associate for Complex Interventions, highlighted: “The new content brings our latest research into everyday practice.

“Importantly, this is done in a meaningful way, so people living with type 2 diabetes can benefit. It’s been great to see the positive feedback we’ve had so far, especially around the new interactive workbook.”

Julia Burdon, DESMOND Training Lead, emphasised the next phase. She said: ““Now the hard work turns to supporting over 800 existing educators across more than 100 organisations to deliver the new curriculum with confidence. We hope they love the changes as much as we do.”

Nicole Boultbee, Patient Education Lead, Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, who has started delivering the new curriculum, explained: “Delivering the new DESMOND V7 curriculum has been a great experience; the shift toward Diabetes Distress and wellbeing shows that this update isn’t just about better tech but also about better empathy and accessibility.

“There is more direct face-to-face engagement with participants, along with simplifying complex concepts like GLP-1 hormones, medications and CGM’s leaving the participants now with a more confident understanding of their health”.

The new DESMOND curriculum represents a significant step forward; more inclusive, more practical, more engaging and more closely aligned with modern diabetes evidence and care.

By integrating cutting‑edge research, real‑world educator insight and a renewed focus on both emotional and physical wellbeing, DESMOND Version 7 equips people with type 2 diabetes with the tools, confidence and understanding needed to make meaningful changes to their health.

To find out more or enquire about offering DESMOND in your area, contact the team at:
uhl-tr.desmondnationalprogramme@nhs.net.

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