Children and adults with type 1 diabetes in the UK will receive an “artificial pancreas” under a world-first scheme launched by the National Health Service (NHS).
The “groundbreaking” device continuously monitors a person’s blood sugar and then automatically adjusts the amount of insulin given to them via a pump.
According to Diabetes UK, the system is called a hybrid closed-loop system, sometimes called an artificial pancreas, in which a glucose monitor, insulin pump and software on your phone can communicate with each other.
It eliminates the need for some users to draw blood through a finger-prick test or manually inject insulin.
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The NHS says this could prevent life-threatening episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, which can lead to seizures, coma and even death in people with type 1 diabetes.
More than 269,000 people in England currently live with the disease.
The UK’s NHS spends around £10bn a year, or 10% of its entire budget, on identifying and treating the disease.
Local NHS services will start to identify eligible patients with type 1 diabetes and have been given £2.5 million to start treating patients.
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NHS England said the large-scale rollout of artificial pancreas builds on a successful technology pilot that provided 835 adults and children with type 1 diabetes with the device to improve their condition. manage.
Those who have benefited include Les Watson, 64, from West Devon, who has had type 1 diabetes for almost 44 years.
He checks his blood sugar levels on his phone, which works in conjunction with an insulin pump and a monitoring patch on his arm.
“The biggest benefit I can say is that the mental burden of dealing with type 1 diabetes is greatly reduced using a system like this. I can sleep at night,” he told Sky News.
Dr Clare Hambling, National Clinical Director for Diabetes, said: “This is another example of the NHS leading the way in healthcare and will roll out these ground-breaking devices across England over the next five years.
“This transformative technology has the power to redefine life for people with type 1 diabetes, promising better quality of life and clinical outcomes.
“Type 1 diabetes can easily go undiagnosed, so if you are concerned about your symptoms – the 4Ts – going to the toilet, urinating more frequently, being thirsty, feeling tired and thinning (weight loss), please come forward and seek support.”
Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “It’s exciting to see the NHS in England rolling out hybrid closed-loop technology for people with type 1 diabetes.
“Diabetes is a tough and unforgiving disease, but these systems make a significant, life-changing difference.”
“This is truly a landmark moment and we will work with the NHS and others to ensure a fair rollout reaches people as quickly as possible.”
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