Diabetes Technology

Updated June 2024

Continuous glucose monitoring / flash glucose monitoring

Anyone with Type 1 diabetes can be prescribed CGM/flash monitoring. If you have Type 2 diabetes and use insulin more than once a day you may be eligible but there are also other criteria to meet. Please discuss this with your diabetes care team. People who do not require insulin are not currently eligible for CGM/flash glucose monitoring on prescription.

Insulin pumps

If you have type 1 diabetes you may be eligible for insulin pump therapy. NICE guidance released in December 2023 has specified the criteria for Hybrid Closed Loop pump therapy and there is also local guidance here.

Please be aware this is a five year plan and will take time to support everyone who is eligible to use this new technology. In addition, this technology is not suitable for everybody so you will need to be assessed by the specialist diabetes team.

NHS England have produced a leaflet on ‘Making a decision about managing type 1 diabetes’ which you can read here.

HCL pump therapy is a system that links your glucose sensor to your insulin pump enabling some automatic adjustments to be made to your insulin doses, helping to increase your time within the ideal blood glucose target range. There are many decisions you still need to make and you will need to count carbohydrates and input insulin for meals and snacks. There are other important safety considerations with insulin pumps and they are not suitable for everyone.

If you would like to be considered for an insulin pump, please discuss this with your diabetes team. Please be patient as this is a five year plan to commence as many people as possible who meet the criteria onto pumps.

Diabetes Education in preparation for a pump

The diabetes team run lots of education courses which can help to prepare you for a pump or to manage on multiple daily injections. Please ask if you are interested in attending a group session (often held virtually) or would like guidance on online learning modules which may be helpful to you. You can contact us via email to: [email protected] for more information.

You will be encouraged to complete 4-5 hours of online learning before your pump start by completing DAFNE Closed Loop Essentials. If you are already using an HCL pump and would like access to this, please contact us.

I am already on an insulin pump

For routine support please contact your diabetes team.

Education sessions are  available for existing pump users please contact us if you want more information about what is available via email to: [email protected]

If you are unwell or have unexplained hyperglycaemia please check for ketones and follow the advice below and seek medical advice if required.

Unexplained hyperglycaemia on an insulin pump

You can read the HCL System Information Leaflet here.

Contact details for insulin pump companies

Omnipod (Insulet) customer support: 0800 011 6132 – Available 24/7 – www.omnipod.com

Medtronic Customer Care: 01923 205 167 – www.medtronic-diabetes.com 

T Slim (Air Liquide) Customer Service: 0800 0121 560 – Available 24/7

Mylife Diabetescare (Ypsomed) Customer Care and helpline: 0344 856 7820 – (technical support 24/7) – www.mylife-diabetescare.com

Flash / Continuous glucose monitoring

Libre (Abbott Diabetes Care): 0800 170 1177 – www.freestyle.abbott

Dexcom Customer Service: 0800 031 5761, Technical support: 0800 0315763 – www.Dexcom.com