NHS England recently published clinical guidance for flash glucose monitors that outlines funding arrangements for patients with type 1 diabetes and the qualifying criteria to support local health groups. According to NHS England, an estimated 260,000 in England suffer from type 1 diabetes.
Starting in April, the NHS will provide the technology for one in five of those with type 1 diabetes in England. Those who qualify include:
– People with type 1 diabetes who need intensive monitoring (more than 8 times every day) as demonstrated in a review over the past 3 months.
– People with diabetes associated with Cystic Fibrosis on insulin.
– Pregnant women with Type 1 Diabetes for 12 months in total.
– People with Type 1 diabetes unable to routinely self-monitor blood glucose due to disability.
– People with Type 1 diabetes for whom the specialist diabetes MDT determines have occupational or psychosocial circumstances that warrant a 6-month trial of Libre with appropriate support.
Patients will be able to receive it on prescription from their local GP or diabetes team, helping them to better manage their blood sugar level and NHS England will reimburse local health groups for costs of the wearable sensors.
“This is an important step forward for the NHS and for people with type 1 diabetes. The guidance published today confirms the NHS’ commitment to improving the care of those with type 1 diabetes and signals an end to the variation in availability to the life changing technology,” said Dr Partha Kar, Associate National Clinical Director at Diabetes.
