Process evaluation of a primary care-based type 2 diabetes remission project in the North East of England

A type 2 diabetes remission project, Remission in Diabetes (REMI.D), funded by Sport England, was developed by stakeholders based in the North East of England and begun in early 2020. This local delivery pilot sought to tackle health inequalities by working with multiple organisations to demonstrate a way of scaling up an effective type 2 diabetes remission strategy which included both physical activity and dietary components. The intended delivery of the original project was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and changes were made to the project delivery in 2022. The aim of this process evaluation was to learn from the reactive decisions taken by stakeholders which altered the REMI.D project in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Twelve stakeholders (from local authorities, secondary care, universities, NHS England commissioning, Diabetes UK, Sport England, Everyone Active and Active Partnerships) involved in the design and delivery of the intervention took part in a semi-structured interview lasting up to 60 min. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis used the pre-determined 'core content' themes from the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions. Three topics for discussion emerged as follows: (a) lack of effective collaboration, (b) perception of change and (c) scalability of the intervention. Hierarchy within the stakeholder group initially hampered collaboration. Change was reactive as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Project changes reduced project sustainability and scalability but offered valuable learning about the need for explicit project theory for partnership working, co-production with service users and project flexibility for long-term health behaviour change.