A new technology, called an artificial pancreas, is set to be offered to tens of thousands of people with type 1 diabetes in England. The system employs a glucose sensor to calculate the amount of insulin required to be delivered via a pump, essentially mimicking the function of a pancreas. The technology is expected to enhance the quality of life for individuals with the condition and will lower the risk of long-term health complications. Nearly 300,000 people in the UK have type 1 diabetes, with approximately 29,000 being children.
The National Health Service will soon get in touch with adults and children who stand to benefit from the system. However, the NHS warns that the implementation of the technology may take up to five years due to challenges with sourcing enough devices, as well as the need to train more staff on their usage. The new method can prevent individuals with type 1 diabetes from experiencing dangerous low or high blood glucose levels which can result in unconsciousness or even death. Moreover, it also helps improve the overall blood sugar control, reducing the chances of potential complications such as heart disease, eyesight problems, and kidney disease.
Scotland has also included this technology as part of its medical services, Wales and Northern Ireland expect to follow soon. Gemma Lavery, who was part of an NHS pilot scheme, claimed that the technology changed her life. “I can have a full night’s sleep without worrying about regular low glucose levels hindering my morning routine, and I have discovered that my diabetes is more consistent.” Diabetes UK believes it to be a watershed moment and is enthusiastic about the system being rolled out.
The approval for the system was given by the National Institute of Health in December of last year; the NHS later formulated a five-year plan for providing it to those that are eligible. NICE recommends its application to pregnant women, children and under-18s, and those with HbA1c readings, which are methods of recording long-term blood sugar levels, of 58 mmol/mol, 7.5%, or more. Prof Partha Kar, NHS national specialty advisor for diabetes, regards the technology as “great news for everyone with type 1 diabetes” and predicts it will significantly improve medical care while enhancing the quality of life for those affected
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