How to make life easier for diabetes sufferers

Published on Thursday 27 December 2007 08:15

IN Scotland, around 200 people with diabetes use insulin pumps – small machines the size of a pack of cards that deliver insulin into the body without the need for repeated injections.

Over a quarter of those people live in the Lothian Health Board area, which means of course that the other three quarters are spread out across thirteen health board areas.

While there is still plenty of room for improvement in Lothian, the rest of Scotland urgently needs to catch up.

If Scotland had the same level of insulin pump use as the rest of the UK, another 400 people would be using pumps today. If we had the same take up as Germany and the USA, another 800 people in Lothian and 5000 in Scotland could benefit.

Pump therapy isn't new. It was first introduced in the 70s. Since then the technology has massively improved and we are now in a position where pumps can make a real difference to the lives of thousands of people.

Researchers from Barcelona have published work showing that they have real sustained benefits for improving diabetes control.

Pumps improve quality of life and reduce long-term costs in the NHS. Their use reduces hospital admissions, outpatient appointments and the numbers seeking a GP appointment, resulting in reduced costs for local health services.

Evidence shows that over two years there is an estimated saving of 23,532 offsetting the costs of pump therapy. Basically, they are good value for money.

For many people with diabetes, pumps are a much more convenient method of delivering insulin. They can reduce diabetes-related worry, improve sleep patterns, bring about more flexible eating habits, increase lifestyle flexibility and improve quality of life for carers and family.

With almost 60 patients using insulin pumps, Lothian NHS leads the way in Scotland. Lothian have been successful because they assess patients for their suitability, and then educate them intensively on the required diabetes management.

Lothian NHS has the right approach, but have to work within guidance set down by NICE – the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. This guidance means that currently only one-two per cent of people with Type 1 diabetes are likely to be suitable for insulin pumps.

Diabetes UK Scotland thinks that NICE is being unduly prescriptive and that thousands more could be provided with pumps. Other countries take a much more sympathetic approach to providing insulin pumps and, as a result, thousands of people gain improvements in their health.

While there are not that many people in Scotland who use pumps, of those who do use them, very few say they would revert back to injections.

Ask them if others should benefit and the answer is a resounding yes.

Stephen Fyfe is from Diabetes UK Scotland