MyDESMOND reaches 60,000 users and 1.5 million logins since launch

Since its launch in June 2018, the MyDESMOND type 2 diabetes self-management programme has supported over 60,000 people with type 2 diabetes. Users have logged in more than 1.5 million times, reflecting its growing role in helping people take control of their health.

Developed by Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC), MyDESMOND adapts the award-winning face-to-face DESMOND programme into an accessible online programme. Since its launch MyDESMOND has gone from strength-to-strength, not just in the number of users, but is also now home to a range of other self-management programmes and interactive healthcare tools. The MyDESMOND digital health platform offers evidence-based education and interactive tools designed to empower users in managing their condition effectively.

Alison Northern, Implementation Lead at LDC, said:

"It’s incredible to see how many people have engaged with our type 2 diabetes management programme since 2018. With 92% of users saying they would recommend it to friends and family, we’re proud that it’s making a real difference. We’re continuously working to improve the platform to better serve everyone living with, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes and other long-term conditions."

Darren Caudle, 55, from Cardiff, and a MyDESMOND user since March 2025, shared his experience:

"I am absolutely delighted with my experience and learning from the MyDESMOND programme. My development need was predominantly a knowledge and understanding gap, along with support in translating that knowledge to my practice. I found the programme incredibly useful to help me with these purposes.

“I am much clearer in terms of the types and quantities of foods and exercise that enable me to manage my type 2 diabetes.

“Particularly valuable for me was how you set the learning into bite-sized chunks. I was able to study these at my own pace, to make notes, and then return to them for clarification. It was useful having the audiovisual and the transcripts so that I could be sure of and test my understanding.

“The timing of the boosters worked well. They had a dual benefit of reinforcing my learning and of bringing me back to the programme. Bringing me back to the programme was vital - so I engaged with the programme over time to deepen my understanding and practice, rather than engaging with it like a 'shower' where it was over in a short, intense burst.

“Finally, I am delighted that I can continue to have access to the programme. I have made notes, but I suspect that over the coming months, I would like to revisit the modules and boosters to reinforce my practice and deal with gaps in my understanding."

Our current programmes on the MyDESMOND digital health platform include:

  • Let’s Prevent Diabetes

  • BabySteps

  • Smart Work & Life

  • Steps4Health

  • My Kidneys & Me

  • LENA (Low Energy Approach)

  • GUIDE (Getting Upskilled through Type 1 Diabetes Education)

Our colleagues at LDC are always developing and testing new programmes; here are some coming soon to the MyDESMOND platform:

  • MyDESMOND Connect – Tailored content for people with early-onset type 2 diabetes

  • My Health Mapp – Supports conversations between patients and healthcare professionals around physical behaviours and overall health

  • MiFoot – Ongoing self-management support for participants of the MiFoot study

  • Domino – New programme in development to support women with type 2 diabetes during pregnancy

  • Shared decision-making tool (with Wales Kidney Research Unit) – Helping women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) explore family-planning options

Find out more about MyDESMOND at www.desmond.nhs.uk/modules-posts/mydesmond.

Rosalind Moore