Life-changing diabetes monitors have been given to over 6000 people across the Midlands with Type 1 diabetes through the NHS Long Term Plan.
People with Type 1 do not have to carry out multiple painful finger-prick checks to monitor their blood sugar levels thanks to the innovative device, which is the size of a £2 coin and worn on the arm. Instead, people with the condition can monitor their blood sugar levels in a much more convenient way, making it easier for people to manage their blood sugar levels.
People with Type 1 diabetes who have low blood sugar levels are at risk of hypoglycaemia, which can involve seizures and a loss of consciousness. Those with high blood sugar levels can be at risk of serious long term health conditions, such as blindness and heart problems if left untreated.
Over half of the people eligible are already in possession of the device within the first three months, which means the NHS Long Term Plan is ahead of schedule in delivering the commitment of a minimum of 50,000 people with the illness. This follows changes made in April which meant people eligible are able to get them on prescription, regardless of where they live in the country.
New data shows the early success of the scheme funded by the NHS Long Term Plan with 28,453 patients in receipt of monitors and 177,521 monitors prescribed within the first three months.
The NHS is writing to local leaders to ensure this rapid uptake continues, medical directors are being urged to further build on the successful rollout to ensure people across the country reap the benefits of the life changing technology.
There are over 250,000 people with Type 1 diabetes in England, tens of thousands of which have already benefitted from the rapid roll out of the technology since April.
Speaking yesterday in Parliament celebrating the success, Prof Partha Kar, NHS National Specialty Advisor, Diabetes , said:
“Providing flash monitors on the NHS is a huge leap forward and it is fantastic to see the roll out make an instant impact, this is another example of how the NHS is making sure patients can benefit from the latest technologies.
“I’m thrilled with how many people are already benefitting from the device and doing away with inconvenient finger-prick checks, less than a year into delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan, tens of thousands of people are experiencing first-hand the difference that cutting edge treatments on the NHS are making for people living with Type 1 diabetes across the country.”
The NHS Long Term Plan also commits to rolling out continuous glucose monitors from April 2020 for every pregnant woman with Type 1 diabetes, in its latest step to harness the power of digital technology.
Mum of five Tina, from Belper, Derbyshire was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes eight years ago when she was six weeks pregnant with her second child.
She said: “The glucose monitor device is amazing. Not only does the reading appear right away, but it automatically uploads to the hospital database so they can track my progress too. Before this, I was having to do the finger prick up to eight times a day which not only left my skin sore, but was also a bit of an inconvenience with five kids to run round after!
“Since using the monitor, I’ve seen a huge improvement in my blood sugar levels as I can make informed decisions when taking my insulin by looking at trends. I know exactly when I need to drink some juice for example…it’s really helped me manage my diabetes”.
People who qualify for the monitor include:
- People with type 1 diabetes who need intensive monitoring (more than 8 times every day) as demonstrated in a review over the past 3 months.
- People with diabetes associated with Cystic Fibrosis on insulin.
- Pregnant women with Type 1 Diabetes for 12 months in total.
- People with Type 1 diabetes unable to routinely self-monitor blood glucose due to disability.
- People with Type 1 diabetes for whom the specialist diabetes MDT determines have occupational or psychosocial circumstances that warrant a 6-month trial of Libre with appropriate support.
The NHS Long Term Plan also sets out world leading action to help people with Type 2 diabetes, including doubling capacity of the Diabetes Prevention Programme so 200,000 people a year can benefit along with trialling new very low calorie diets.
1 comment
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