Diabetes Support FAQs

Oviva is a leading provider of NHS services, combining the support of dietitians, diabetes specialist nurses, health coaches and psychologists with technology to make healthcare more convenient and accessible to all.

We blend behaviour change therapy with our unique technology and incredible team to support people to improve their health and better manage their conditions. We partner exclusively with the NHS to offer our programmes across the UK to participants for free. To put it simply, we help people lead healthier and happier lives.

Oviva Diabetes Support is fully remote, personalised type 2 diabetes structured education and behaviour change programme, led by a diabetes specialist dietitian or health coach over 12 weeks.

The programme aims to widen access to structured education, support participants to learn how to self-manage, and help drive significant improvements in the three treatment targets.

After confirming eligibility and discussing the service with your patient for the pathway please complete the referral form which is embedded into your clinical system. 

In some areas patients are able to self-refer through the Oviva website. Check the Oviva Diabetes Support programme page to find out if self-referral is available in your area. 

Find out here

If patients don’t have a smartphone, or would prefer to access an offline programme they can have their appointments through telephone calls and we can provide them with a printed Learn guidebook. Patients are in control of how they’d like to take part and so they can interact with the programme in the best way for them.

Patients will receive regular contact with their coach through out the 12 week programme. 

• Be registered with a GP practice within the ICB
• Be aged 18 or over 
• Have a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes

Exclusion criteria:

• Pregnant people
• People with type 1 diabetes 
• People with a significant learning disability or untreated mental health condition that makes it difficult for them to engage in care
• People who are under the current care of a dietitian
• People who have had bariatric surgery in the past 2 years or have bariatric surgery planned in the next 12 weeks

When patients join, we will assess their needs and understand their preferences to provide them with their own personalised healthcare plan. They will have the choice to be matched with either their own personal health coach or a coach-led support group to help them throughout their journey. They will also have the choice to receive support either via the Oviva app over secure app messaging, or over phone calls. Patients receive personalised support over 12 weeks to achieve meaningful and manageable changes to their diet and lifestyle, as well as a focus on improving blood glucose levels. 

Patients will be able to use the Oviva app to track their progress, log their food, mood, activity and communicate with their coach. Throughout the 12 week programme, new learning modules and resources on Oviva Learn will be available for patients to read, watch and listen. This will provide them with information on how to best manage their dietary approach, lifestyle changes, diabetes and weight management, to help them with making long-term changes to their lifestyle. 

Patients receive an annual invitation to re-join the programme and access another 12 weeks of behaviour change support, per NICE guidelines.

Oviva Diabetes Support service is a 12 week programme.

Average weight loss on Oviva’s Diabetes Support programme is currently 4.3kg.

We support a range of evidence based dietary approaches including healthy eating with goal setting, Mediterranean diet, low carbohydrate diets, calorie counting approaches, intermittent fasting and partial meal replacement approaches.  We always aim to tailor the approach to the individual and support each individual to choose the approach that is safe for them and appropriate for their daily life and goals.

Unfortunately patients with Type 1 diabetes are not eligible for Oviva Diabetes Support.

73% of participants who are referred complete the full programme.

All Oviva dietitians are registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council and our nutritionists are AfN registered. All members of the team undergo regular quality assurance reviews and receive regular training from our Lead Dietitians and Psychologist.