The island’s health service is to provide sensor systems to adults and children with type 1 diabetes.

Freestyle Libre model sensors will be available for adults who meet specific medical criteria based upon NHS England recommendations and will be identified by the specialist diabetes team at Noble’s Hospital.

sensors

Freestyle Libre and Dexcom G6 sensors will be available for children with type 1 diabetes until they transition to adult services, where they may be offered the Freestyle Libre sensors and monitors, subject to meeting NHS England criteria.

At this time people with type 2 diabetes will not be eligible for sensor funding in line with NHS criteria.

The government said that the sensor systems offer an ’accurate, safe and convenient way for people with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels, reducing the number of finger prick tests required throughout the day and night.’

’A key benefit for parents of children with type 1 diabetes is the ability to check their child’s readings remotely, as the technology allows for data from the devices to be sent to their mobile phones, including alerts when a child’s blood sugar falls to a potentially dangerous level.’

delay

The sensor systems will become available through the NHS from this month via a staged implementation programme, the original April roll-out having been rescheduled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford said: ’We plan to make careful use of the resource, to ensure sensors are provided to patients who will benefit most.

’To achieve that, eligibility will be an objective clinical decision based on current UK guidance.

’It is an important point, as not all type 1 diabetes patients will necessarily be eligible, and the monitors may not be suitable for all children.’