Make Continuous Glucose Monitors available on the NHS for Type 1 Diabetics

CGMs are a considered less invasive than Blood Glucose Meters. They also help users to maintain target blood glucose levels & limit the risk of hypos.

Access to this technology is limited on the NHS. However, they can help to avoid night-time severe hypos, & severe hypos cost the NHS £13m a year.

CGMs work 24 hours a day and can include alarms to indicate when glucose levels are too high. Research suggests they can help to reduce haemoglobin A1c without increasing the risk of a hypo.

The initial cost of the hardware for a continuous glucose monitor can vary from around £1,000 to £2,500. In addition to this, running costs are estimated at £40-£60 per 5-7 days. Access to this important technology should not be based upon whether or not the patient is able to afford it.

Preventing diabetes and promoting the best possible care for people with diabetes is a key priority for this Government. We are working hard to improve outcomes and quality of life for those living with diabetes or those who will develop it in the coming years. Once a patient has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is vital to ensure they can manage their condition as effectively as possible.

NHS England is working with other organisations to help promote services that are integrated around patients’ needs across all settings; and is implementing a 'customer service platform' to allow patients with diabetes to self-manage through booking their own appointments, managing their prescriptions, monitoring the care they have received and being able to view their personal health records.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that provides guidance on the prevention and treatment of ill health and the promotion of good health and social care. NICE’s guidance is based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and is developed through wide consultation with stakeholders.

In August 2015, NICE published guidelines which recommend that such devices should not be made routinely available to people with Type 1 diabetes unless they are willing to commit to using them at least 70% of the time and to calibrate them as needed (as well as meeting certain other criteria). NICE’s guideline on the diagnosis and management Type 1 diabetes in adults (NG17) is available at: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng18.