North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has welcomed the news that Flash Glucose Monitoring for diabetes sufferers will be available on prescription from November.
Approximately 6% of the UK population, about 3.5 million people, have been diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. It is predicted that up to 549,000 people in the UK have diabetes that is yet to be diagnosed.
More than 11,000 people in Swindon have already been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, a condition which is affected by diet and blood pressure. Getting diagnosed early, or being recognised as at high or moderate risk, means that people have the opportunity to change their lifestyle in order to avoid serious health problems.
Flash Glucose Monitoring is a small sensor, the size of a £2 coin, which an individual wears just under their skin. It stores a person’s blood glucose (also known as blood sugar) levels continuously and these can be accessed when the person scans the sensor. Each time an individual’s scans the sensor, they can access the last eight hours sugar levels.
The system also comes with software so an individual can analyse their own results and see patterns in blood sugar levels – meaning they can tailor their own treatment.
Justin was contacted by a number of Swindon residents living with diabetes who highlighted the benefits of the system over the current finger-prick test. He took these concerns directly to Health Ministers; urging them, NHS Business Services and the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence to recommend the test be made available on prescription.
The decision also builds on the Government’s commitment to a tackle diabetes through its National Diabetes Prevention Programme, which includes a recent announcement of £40 million of funding to local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups for specialist diabetes prevention work in their communities.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “This announcement is fantastic news for people living with diabetes in Swindon. Flash glucose monitoring will radically change the way we treat diabetes and I’m delighted that Ministers and the health authorities will make the programme available via NHS prescription from November. I have actively lobbied Ministers on behalf of fellow local residents and this announcement will change lives.”
Health Minister Lord O’Shaughnessy said: ‘Living with diabetes can be difficult and stressful which is why this government is working hard to ensure patients have access to a wide range of appropriate products and treatments to help them manage their condition. With Freestyle Libre now available on the NHS, patients have an exciting and innovative option to consider to help monitor their condition and prevent any long term complications.’
Chris Askew, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: ‘Today’s announcement is fantastic news - not since the transition from urine testing to finger-prick testing has there been such potential to transform the lives of people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes through technology. Flash glucose monitoring can free people living with diabetes from the pain and rigour of frequent finger-prick testing, and puts them in greater control of their condition. In doing so, it has the potential to help prevent a host of devastating long-term complications. Today’s decision is testament to the commitment of campaigners, clinicians and policy makers to making this technology available.’
