The NHS is offering thousands more ‘artificial pancreases’ to type 1 diabetes patients – spelling the end of finger-prick blood tests and insulin jabs for many.
Up to 270,000 patients will be able to get the ‘completely lifechanging’ devices to control their blood sugars as part of the £14million rollout.
The expansion follows a deal between the NHS and makers of the hybrid closed loop systems, making them more ‘cost effective’.
It means patients who already use diabetes technology – such as continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and insulin pumps – may now be eligible to switch.
In patients with the autoimmune disease, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the blood.
This can lead to sugar level becoming too high, which can be fatal or potentially trigger serious health problems in the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.
The device is worn on the body and constantly monitors how much insulin is needed to keep the patient’s blood sugar levels steady, which is then automatically delivered via a pump.
Professor Partha Kar, NHS England type 1 diabetes advisor, said it was ‘a significant milestone’ for many people living with type 1 diabetes.
He said: ‘The device detects your glucose levels, transmits the readings to the delivery system, known as the pump, which then initiates the process of determining the required insulin dosage – improving medical care but also enhances the quality of life for those affected.
‘NHS trusts can access these devices at cost-effective prices, not only benefiting more patients, but benefiting the taxpayer through significant savings to the NHS.’
Earlier this year, NHS England instructed local health authorities to start identifying patients who will benefit during the five-year programme.
It has now increased funding seven-fold, meaning greater numbers of patients – including children – can get artificial pancreases within the next 12 months.
The expansion follows a decision by the NHS watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), to start offering devices to those with diabetes not adequately controlled by their current insulin pump or glucose monitor.
Diabetes UK has welcomed the rollout, having previously spoken about how such devices can ‘transform the lives’ of people with the condition.
Policy manager Nikki Joule said: ‘Type 1 diabetes can take a huge mental toll, with people manually calculating how much insulin they need regularly throughout the day. By automating these calculations, hybrid closed-loop technology can greatly alleviate the emotional burden of diabetes’.
Children and young diabetics, women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, and those who already have an insulin pump, will be the first beneficiaries, under the programme.
Officials said it will be a phased roll out over five years, as the specialist clinical workforce build the skills needed to prescribe the devices.
Dr Clare Hambling, NHS national clinical director for diabetes, said: ‘The NHS continues to lead the way in care and treatment for people with diabetes and this is just the latest example of those efforts – by ensuring cost-effectiveness of the latest technology, we can roll out these groundbreaking devices to thousands more eligible patients over the next five years.
‘The technology behind the Hybrid Closed Loop systems will be completely lifechanging for many people living with type 1 diabetes, promising a better quality of life as well as clinical outcomes.’
