A world-first launch from NHS England (NHSE) is set to give tens of thousands of type 1 diabetes patients access to a life-changing ‘artificial pancreas’.
NHSE is giving local health leaders £2.5m to identify patients who would benefit from the Hybrid Closed Loop systems, following a successful pilot of the technology.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved the launch of the technology last December.
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Tens of thousands more adults and children are set to receive their own ‘artificial pancreas’ to manage their type 1 diabetes. This improves their treatment and quality of life.
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According to NICE, the so-called artificial pancreases should be rolled out to:
- Children and young people under 18 with type 1 diabetes
- Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes
- Adults with type 1 diabetes who have an HbA1c of 58mmol/mol (7.5%) or higher
The launch is “great news for everyone” according to Professor Partha Kar, specialty advisor for diabetes to the health service.
Dr Clare Hambling, national clinical director for diabetes, added: “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.”
Approximately 270,000 people are thought to be living with type 1 diabetes in England. NHSE spends around £10bn – the equivalent of 10% of its budget – on diabetes care every year.
NHSE has already set out a five-year implementation strategy for Hybrid Closed Loop systems.
Chief executive at Diabetes UK, Colette Marshall, commented: “This really is a landmark moment and we’ll be working with the NHS and others to ensure a fair rollout that reaches people as quickly as possible.”
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