Hundreds of thousands of people with type 1 diabetes in the UK are now using ‘life-changing’ gadgets to manage their condition, health leaders say.
More than 200,000 patients are now using non-invasive blood glucose monitoring devices, according to NHS England, an increase of around 50,000 since the spring.
This device helps people monitor their blood sugar levels through an app. This eliminates the need for a finger stick test or scan using another kind of monitor.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin, which is needed to help the body turn sugar into energy. This means that patients must manually administer insulin by injection to prevent hyperglycemia.
High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, can cause damage to nerves in the hands and feet, damage to the eyes and vision, and even life-threatening conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Hundreds of thousands of glucose monitoring devices
The device helps patients manage their condition more easily and provides a way to consistently track blood sugar levels.
It is hoped that wider use of this technology will allow patients to better manage their condition while reducing illness and hospitalizations.
About 8 in 10 people with type 1 diabetes now have access to the technology, according to NHS England, and nearly two-thirds of local NHS areas offer these devices to their patients.
After the organization announced over the summer, it struck a deal with manufacturer DEXCOM to use similar technology, but similar to flash monitors that require patients to repeatedly scan the device on their arm to check vital statistics. secured the price of .
A new wearable arm gadget measures glucose levels from just below the skin using a bottle-cap-sized sensor attached to the arm and automatically sends the information to a mobile app to keep diabetics informed about their glucose levels. allow it to be tracked.
NHS England said it was rolling out “well above” its initial 2019 target of ensuring 20% of people with type 1 diabetes would benefit from a flash monitor.
The NHS aims to have all 42 Integrated Care Boards providing both monitors by 2023, and patients will be offered either monitor depending on their needs after consultation with local clinicians.
Professor Parsaker, National Special Advisor for Diabetes, said: , to have the option of a life-changing device that automatically alerts patients to potentially dangerous changes in blood sugar levels.
“As a diabetes clinician, I have seen firsthand how liberating this device is for patients.
“While most of the NHS have already deployed these new devices, NHS rollout will continue at a pace to ensure that both devices are available to all patients across the country by the end of next year. increase.”
Health Secretary Steve Berkley added:
“This is another example of how technology can be used to improve patient outcomes while reducing pressure on frontline services, which can help reduce hospitalizations and diabetic illness.
“The NHS is rapidly deploying these devices and from this spring more patients will benefit from this life-saving technology.”
