A HIGH-TECH monitoring kit for people with type 1 diabetes is to be offered by the NHS in Dumfries and Galloway – delivering advantages to patients who meet the criteria.
The NHS Board has now agreed to fund provision of Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) to eligible patients as part of its budgeting for 2018/19.
Diabetes and endocrinology consultant at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary Dr Fiona Green said: “I think it’s really exciting for those patients who meet the criteria, and it’s something that they’ll really benefit from and will be really excited by.
“It’s going to result in better control and better engagement with diabetes.
“And it’s nice to be one of the boards to have agreed this – as we’re one of the first in Scotland to put in place plans to get going.”
NHS Dumfries and Galloway has already rolled out the Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system to the fullest extent possible using its share of the £10 million allocated towards this approach by The Scottish Government.
However, most people with type 1 diabetes in the region currently use the finger prick testing method to monitor their blood sugars.
While the finger prick testing takes a snapshot of blood sugars, the FGM system uses a monitor which sits in place on the arm and continually assesses 24 hours a day before being read by a scanner.
Fiona said: “Some people with Type 1 diabetes will currently be checking their blood sugar eight to ten times a day, and also in some situations during the night – when some parents might be anxious their child is hypoglycaemic.
“The FGM system specifically benefits some of these patients, reduces the need for that finger prick testing, and more importantly tracks the course of blood sugar throughout the day so overnight blood sugar readings can be seen as well, offering reassurance.
“So we’re not just getting a snapshot in that particular moment – we’re seeing what it’s like over a 24-hour period which for certain patients can help to personalise insulin regimes, fine tune them to get better control, and in doing so hopefully reduce complications.”
Up until now, the FGM system has only been available in Dumfries and Galloway to those people with diabetes who have been in a position to self-fund the device.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway will provide the FGM system to patients assessed as being eligible to receive this more expensive technology, and likely to benefit. They will be expected to attend an education course so as to gain the most benefit, and their progress and eligibility will be assessed at six month intervals.
Associate Medical Director Dr Ewan Bell has welcomed the decision by the NHS Board to support the system, which will start being rolled following assessments in coming months.
Dr Bell said: “This is great news. We did not have the resources last year to fund this, and there’s a significant cost attached.
“However, we’re convinced that this will have great benefits and we’re really delighted to be providing this system along with the pre-existing Continuous Glucose Monitoring system.
“In doing all of this we’re putting the patient first, and following the recommendations of the consultants who form the professional body the Scottish Diabetes Group.”
