Fresh guidance for access to a new sensor for Type One diabetics has been described as “unfair” by a type one sufferer from South Tyneside.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has proposed greater access to continuous glucose monitoring for type one diabetics who suffer from hypoglycemia when using insulin pump therapy.
Alistair Parry, who was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 2013, has been on the waiting list for an insulin pump for a year and has mixed views on NICE’s new guidelines.
“A continuous glucose monitoring system would be great but it would be better getting more pumps,” said Alistair, 18.
“It’s not as fair on the people waiting for pumps. What NICE have said is great but it only helps people who already have a pump.
“There are so many people on the waiting list [for an insulin pump]. It would give me a much better life, it would be so much easier when I’m out in public.”
The GCM system would reduce the chance of severe hypoglycemia, more commonly known as a hypo, due to its low glucose suspend feature, which stops insulin being pumped into the body until sugar levels return to normal.
The feature would prevent night time hypoglycaemia, which is a big issue for sufferers of type one diabetes.
Karen Addington, chief executive officer of JDRF UK, supported the new guidance and want “everyone who could benefit from the new technology to be able to get hold of it.”
Danielle Jaggers, 24 of Sunderland, has lived with diabetes since she was 11, has always lived without a pump, but believes this is a “good idea”.
“I’ve never had a pump because they look uncomfortable,” said Danielle.
“ You have to go on a massive course to learn how to use it which is quite a few weeks off work, but if they are going to add this new feature I think it will be really helpful.”
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