NHS England said tens of thousands of children and adults with type 1 diabetes in the country will receive an artificial pancreas. The initiative includes hybrid closed-loop automated insulin delivery systems like Insulet’s Omnipod 5.
The initiative, long in the works, received support from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). In December, NICE published guidance recommending hybrid closed-loop systems for eligible people with type 1 diabetes in England and Wales. Following that government guidance, the NHS picked up funding and shared its plans to roll out the technology in January.
NHS provided local health systems with £2.5 million ($3.2 million) to kick off the rollout.
A ‘landmark moment’ supported by companies like Insulet
“It is incredibly exciting to see hybrid closed-loop technology being rolled out on the NHS in England for people with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes is a tough and relentless condition, but these systems make a significant, life-changing difference – improving both the overall health and quality of life for people with diabetes,” Colette Marshall, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said.
“This really is a landmark moment and we’ll be working with the NHS and others to ensure a fair rollout that reaches people as quickly as possible.”
In a post on LinkedIn, Insulet shared its excitement around the five-year implementation strategy. Starting April 1, the timeline aims to help local systems provide automated insulin delivery systems to eligible patients.
“We applaud the collaborative efforts of NICE, NHS England and all the advocates who have tirelessly worked towards improving access to innovative technologies in diabetes care,” Insulet wrote. “This milestone underscores our shared commitment to empowering individuals with diabetes, improving health outcomes, and enhancing their quality of life through cutting-edge solutions.”
