New commercial agreements and extra national funding is set to see thousands more patients gain access to groundbreaking diabetes technology, NHS England has announced.
NHSE is providing local health leaders with over £14m of funding to roll out so-called artificial pancreases this year. The overall launch will be staggered over five years and is based on a previous pilot that benefitted nearly 1,000 people with type 1 diabetes.
NHSE has been planning the provision of hybrid closed loop systems since April and is now encouraging all prescribing trusts to review its patients that are eligible for the technology but are currently using alternatives.
A life-changing move
“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,” said NHSE’s national clinical director for diabetes, Dr Clare Hambling.
The health service says it is leading the way in the roll out of this type of technology around the world, with the UK becoming a go-to destination for suppliers.
Diabetes technology lead for NHSE’s GIRFT programme, Professor Partha Kar, added: “This is a significant milestone in the national roll out of Hybrid Closed Loop systems, and is fantastic news for many people living with type 1 diabetes.
“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.”
Cost of diabetes
The roll out of hybrid closed loop systems was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in December 2023.
According to the latest figures, the NHS spends around 6% of its entire budget – £10.7bn a year – on identifying and treating diabetes.
Diabetes UK recently urged health secretary Wes Streeting to reduce diabetes rates through free school meals.
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