This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46198366
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Diabetes glucose monitors 'available to thousands more' | Diabetes glucose monitors 'available to thousands more' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Wearable glucose monitors will be made available to tens of thousands more people with type 1 diabetes from April 2019, NHS England has announced. | Wearable glucose monitors will be made available to tens of thousands more people with type 1 diabetes from April 2019, NHS England has announced. |
Its decision comes after an investigation found patients in some areas of the country were being denied access to the device. | Its decision comes after an investigation found patients in some areas of the country were being denied access to the device. |
It reduces the need for finger-prick blood tests and helps people with diabetes to manage their condition. | It reduces the need for finger-prick blood tests and helps people with diabetes to manage their condition. |
Diabetes charities called the change of policy a huge step forward. | Diabetes charities called the change of policy a huge step forward. |
In England, around 300,000 people have type 1 diabetes. | In England, around 300,000 people have type 1 diabetes. |
The Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system, used by Prime Minister Theresa May, who has the autoimmune condition, was made available on the NHS last November. | The Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system, used by Prime Minister Theresa May, who has the autoimmune condition, was made available on the NHS last November. |
But recent research suggested only 3-5% of type 1 patients in England had access to the monitors on the NHS, when 20-25% were eligible. | But recent research suggested only 3-5% of type 1 patients in England had access to the monitors on the NHS, when 20-25% were eligible. |
This was because some local clinical commissioning groups decided not to prioritise funding of the devices. | This was because some local clinical commissioning groups decided not to prioritise funding of the devices. |
NHS England said the device would now be funded to allow access throughout the country in all 195 clinical commissioning groups, benefiting a target of about a quarter of people with type 1 diabetes. | NHS England said the device would now be funded to allow access throughout the country in all 195 clinical commissioning groups, benefiting a target of about a quarter of people with type 1 diabetes. |
How does it work? | |
The glucose monitoring device uses a tiny sensor inserted under the skin of the arm which is connected to a small transmitter patch on the surface of the skin. | The glucose monitoring device uses a tiny sensor inserted under the skin of the arm which is connected to a small transmitter patch on the surface of the skin. |
The sensor reads blood sugar levels from fluid just beneath the skin and transmits them wirelessly to a display on a portable reader held near the sensor. | The sensor reads blood sugar levels from fluid just beneath the skin and transmits them wirelessly to a display on a portable reader held near the sensor. |
The technology reduces the need for finger-prick blood tests and can make it much easier for people with diabetes to manage their condition. | The technology reduces the need for finger-prick blood tests and can make it much easier for people with diabetes to manage their condition. |
'It's like swiping a contactless bank card' | |
BBC journalist Lauren Turner has had type 1 diabetes for 14 years and has tried using a flash glucose monitor. | |
"I've used the Libre and compared to pricking my fingers (which I do about eight to 10 times a day), it's revolutionary," she says. | |
"I'm now waiting to find out when I can get it on prescription. | |
"It doesn't work for everyone - some prefer to use other systems, like continuous glucose monitors. | |
"But for me, what's most helpful is seeing the last eight hours of data, in the form of a graph. | |
"You also get an arrow showing whether your levels are going up or down or staying roughly the same. | |
"That's a world away from just getting a number on your monitor when you finger prick, with no clue as to what the bigger picture is. | |
"I find it more convenient too, as you can scan over the top of clothes - it's like swiping a contactless bank card. | |
"And then there's the fact my poor finger tips, which bear the scars of thousands of pricks from over the years, get a break. | |
"Another surprising benefit is that you can easily spot other people with diabetes - making you feel you're not alone dealing with this lifelong condition." | |
Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said the announcement would be "welcome news to the many thousands of people with type 1 diabetes whose lives will now be changed for the better by access to flash glucose monitoring". | Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said the announcement would be "welcome news to the many thousands of people with type 1 diabetes whose lives will now be changed for the better by access to flash glucose monitoring". |
Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said digital health and technology would be at the heart of NHS England's long-term plan. | |
"NHS England is taking important action so that regardless of where you live, if you're a patient with type 1 diabetes you can reap the benefits of this life-improving technology." | "NHS England is taking important action so that regardless of where you live, if you're a patient with type 1 diabetes you can reap the benefits of this life-improving technology." |
'More convenient' | 'More convenient' |
Karen Addington, chief executive of type 1 diabetes charity JDRF, said: "This should end the inequality of people being refused access to this life-changing type 1 diabetes technology depending on where they happen to live." | Karen Addington, chief executive of type 1 diabetes charity JDRF, said: "This should end the inequality of people being refused access to this life-changing type 1 diabetes technology depending on where they happen to live." |
But she said training should be provided to make sure all healthcare professionals knew how to support people using the device. | But she said training should be provided to make sure all healthcare professionals knew how to support people using the device. |
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Rolling out these monitors will not only make life more convenient, it will save the NHS time and resources by preventing people becoming ill in the first place. | Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Rolling out these monitors will not only make life more convenient, it will save the NHS time and resources by preventing people becoming ill in the first place. |
"I want to see innovations like these become commonplace in our healthcare system so millions of people across the country stay out of hospital and can get on with their lives." | "I want to see innovations like these become commonplace in our healthcare system so millions of people across the country stay out of hospital and can get on with their lives." |