More type 1 diabetes patients in England to get artificial pancreas

Thousands of children and eligible adults living with type 1 diabetes across England will be able to receive an ‘artificial pancreas’ following cost-effective deals secured by the NHS with the technology’s suppliers. 

The Hybrid Closed Loop (HCL) system devices continually monitor glucose levels and automatically adjust the amount of insulin given to them through a pump, meaning that some type 1 diabetes patients will no longer need to inject their medication.

NHS England is providing £14.1 million to local health systems to provide the technology to patients for the first year, with the aim that it will be offered to as many people as possible.

Professor Partha Kar,  Getting It Right First Time type 1 diabetes technology clinical lead at NHSE, said: “This is a significant milestone in the national roll out of HCL systems, and is fantastic news for many people living with type 1 diabetes.

“NHS trusts can access these devices at cost-effective prices, not only benefiting more patients, but benefiting the taxpayer through significant savings to the NHS.

“The device detects your glucose levels, transmits the readings to the delivery system, known as the pump, which then initiates the process of determining the required insulin dosage – improving medical care but also enhances the quality of life for those affected”.

There are currently around 270,000 people living in England with type 1 diabetes.

Local NHS systems have been identifying eligible people living with type 1 diabetes who could benefit from the HCL system since April 2024, but more patients will benefit owing to the new price agreements and additional national funding.

NHSE is encouraging all prescribing trusts to review patients that are eligible for HCL and already using other diabetes technology including continuous glucose monitor and insulin pumps.

The technology will be rolled out in phases over five years, while the specialist clinical workforce in adult services build the skills in order to prescribe HCL systems.

Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “It is incredibly exciting to see hybrid closed loop technology being rolled out on the NHS in England for people with type 1 diabetes.

“Diabetes is a tough and relentless condition, but these systems make a significant, life-changing difference – improving both the overall health and quality of life for people with diabetes.

“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”.

The National Institute of Health Care and Excellence (NICE) recommends the devices should be rolled out to children and young people under 19 with type 1 diabetes, pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, and adults who would benefit from the technology to help manage high glucose levels.

NICE approved the NHS’s roll-out of the technology in December 2023, following an NHSE pilot in 2022, in which 835 adults and children with type 1 diabetes were given devices to improve management of their condition.