These devices continually monitor the individual’s glucose levels and then automatically adjust the amount of insulin given to them through a pump.
Local NHS systems have been identifying eligible people living with type 1 diabetes who could benefit from the Hybrid Closed Loop (HCL) system – sometimes called an artificial pancreas – since April 2024.
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‘The NHS continues to lead the way in care and treatment for people with diabetes and this is just the latest example of those efforts – by ensuring cost-effectiveness of the latest technology, we can roll out these groundbreaking devices to thousands more eligible patients over the next five years,’ said Dr Clare Hambling, NHS national clinical director for diabetes.
‘The technology behind the Hybrid Closed Loop systems will be completely lifechanging for many people living with type 1 diabetes, promising a better quality of life as well as clinical outcomes.’
There are currently around 270,000 people living in England with type 1 diabetes. NHS England is encouraging all prescribing trusts to review patients that are eligible for HCL and already using other diabetes technology including continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and insulin pumps.
‘This is a significant milestone in the national roll out of Hybrid Closed Loop 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,’ said Professor Partha Kar, NHS England GIRFT Type 1 Diabetes Technology Clinical Lead.