The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published new guidance announcing a five-year roll-out of a wearable technology for patients with type 1 diabetes. The new hybrid closed loop systems have proven more effective in maintaining blood glucose levels than standard care. Approximately 270,935 people in England and 16,090 in Wales have type 1 diabetes. NICE and NHS England will offer the technology to all children, young people, pregnant women and those with an insulin pump. NICE has accepted a funding request from NHS England and will offer five-year training programmes for staff. The new technology will eliminate the need for finger-prick testing and insulin injections to control blood sugar. It will also reduce the risk of long-term complications.
