The Manx Diabetic Group hopes that the Manx health service will follow the UK in offering a service to people with diabetes.

The group has welcomed the news that Flash Glucose Monitoring (Flash GM) will be available on the NHS in the UK from November 1.

It will revolutionise the way people monitor their blood sugar levels and manage their diabetes.

Chair of the Manx Diabetic Group Joanne Clague said: ’To maintain good blood sugar levels, diabetics must carry out finger-prick blood tests several times a day.

’Flash GM is a small sensor worn just under the skin that records blood sugar levels continuously and can be accessed any time.

’You simply swipe a reader over the sensor to get your result.

’Research shows that people test their blood sugar more often when they are wearing a sensor, which helps keep them in better health. This is the next important step in the treatment of type 1 diabetes and it is wonderful news that the benefits of Flash GM have been recognised by the UK government.

’Until now, only people who could afford this technology could use it.

’Everybody with diabetes should be able to access the most up to date treatments and we hope that Flash GM, which will be available on the NHS across the UK from November 1, will soon be available here on the Isle of Man.

’As a charity, we’ll be doing everything we can to help make this happen.’