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Health Service roll-out of diabetes type 1 testing monitors

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

The Island’s health service is to provide sensor systems to adults and children with type 1 diabetes.   

Freestyle Libre sensors will be available for adults who meet specific medical criteria based upon NHS England recommendations and will be identified by the specialist Diabetes team at Noble’s Hospital. 

Freestyle Libre and Dexcom G6 will be available for children with type 1 diabetes until they transition to adult services, where they may be offered the Freestyle Libre sensors and monitors, subject to meeting the clinical criteria set by NHS England.   

At this time people with type 2 diabetes will not be eligible for sensor funding in line with criteria and recommendations from NHS England. 

The Freestyle Libre and Dexcom G6 systems offer an accurate, safe and convenient way for people with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels, reducing the number of finger prick tests required throughout the day and night.  

A key benefit for parents of children with type 1 diabetes is the ability to check their child’s readings remotely, as the technology allows for data from the devices to be sent to their mobile phones, including alerts when a child’s blood sugar falls to a potentially dangerous level. 

The sensors are placed under the skin and are simple to use, discreet and painless. They give a digital update on the person’s glucose level via a simple swipe, supporting better control of their condition. 

The sensor systems will become available in the Isle of Man through the NHS from this month via a staged implementation programme, the roll-out originally planned for April having been rescheduled due to the pandemic. 

Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford said:

‘I am pleased we are now able to meet our commitment to help those with type 1 diabetes in this way – it is a step forward in our support for diabetes patients.’ 

‘We plan to make careful use of the resource, to ensure sensors are provided to patients who will benefit most. To achieve that, eligibility will be an objective clinical decision based on current UK guidance. It is an important point, as not all type 1 diabetes patients will necessarily be eligible, and the monitors may not be suitable for all children. By following established best practice in this area, we are taking a clinically robust and fair approach.’ 

Before being provided with the monitors and sensors, patients and parents will be expected to undertake online or face-to-face training to ensure they understand fully how to utilise the Freestyle Libre and Dexcom G6 systems, and to ensure compliance.  Patient’s eligibility and use of the system will be monitored and reviewed every six months in line with NHS guidance. 

Staff at the Diabetes Centre at Noble’s Hospital have previously supported self-funding patients in using the sensors and will manage the introduction of the sensor systems when patients attend clinic for their appointments.  

Two sensors a month will be available on prescription from GPs and these prescriptions should be taken to the pharmacy and collected in the usual manner. If there are any issues with sensors patients should contact the manufacturer directly for any replacements.

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