Tens of thousands of children and adults living with type 1 diabetes across England are set to benefit from a futuristic technology in a world-first initiative being rolled out by the National Health Service (NHS).
Local NHS systems began identifying eligible people living with type 1 diabetes who health chiefs believe could benefit from the Hybrid Closed Loop system, sometimes called an “artificial pancreas”, last week.
Professor Partha Kar, NHS National Speciality Advisor for Diabetes, explains: “The national rollout of Hybrid Closed Loop systems is great news for everyone with type 1 diabetes. 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.
“This futuristic technology not only improves medical care but also enhances the quality of life for those affected”.
The ground-breaking device continually monitors a person’s blood glucose, then automatically adjusts the amount of insulin given to them through a pump. The technology will mean some people with type 1 diabetes will no longer need to inject themselves with insulin but rely on technology to receive this life saving medication. This can also help prevent life-threatening hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemia attacks, which can lead to seizures, coma or even death for people living with type 1 diabetes.
UK Health Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “People living with type 1 diabetes face the constant stress of needing to monitor their blood glucose levels to stay healthy and avoid complications. This new technology will ease the burden on patients and allow them to manage their condition more easily, without needing to draw blood or wear a continuous glucose monitor.
“This is a great example of how we are harnessing the latest technology to make people's lives better; improving outcomes, reducing serious complications, and making care simpler."
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The mass rollout of the artificial pancreas builds on a successful pilot of the technology by NHS England, which saw 835 adults and children with type 1 diabetes given devices to improve the management of their condition. NHS England said it has provided local health systems with £2.5 million so they are ready to start identifying patients that can benefit.
Dr Clare Hambling, National Clinical Director for diabetes, said: "This is another example of the NHS leading the way in healthcare, rolling out these ground-breaking devices across England over the next five years.
“This transformative technology holds the power to redefine the lives of those with type 1 diabetes, promising a better quality of life as well as clinical outcomes.”
The National Institute of Health Care and Excellence (NICE) approved the NHS rollout of the technology in December last year and there is now a five-year implementation strategy in place for how local systems will provide the Hybrid Closed Loop system for eligible patients starting April 1.
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Since 2017-18, NHS England said it has made around £150 million of transformation funding available to support projects from local health systems to reduce variation in access to services and improve outcomes for people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
*Info: Type 1 Diabetes; Type 2 Diabetes
