A further 2,500 people living with type 1 diabetes are receiving
“life changing” access to the latest technologies to help prevent
serious health complications.
An additional £6.9 million Scottish Government funding this year
is expanding access to closed loop systems, prioritising children
and adults who health boards believe will benefit the most.
Closed loop systems use a blood glucose sensor linked to a pump
to automatically calculate how much insulin should be delivered –
reducing the need to work out dosages and take injections.
Training, education and support is given remotely by health
professionals including specialist nurses and dietitians.
Public Health Minister said:
“Expanding access to closed loop systems will have a life
changing impact on those living with type 1 diabetes. These
technologies greatly reduce the risk of long term complications
and removes much of the burden of managing the condition on a day
to day basis.
“More than a century since insulin was first discovered,
technology continues to change lives for the better. I hope all
children and adults who benefit from these technologies go on to
lead healthy and active lives with the support of treatment
advances such as this.
“We are harnessing innovation, in line with our ten-year Service
Renewal Framework, to help people better manage their own
treatment. This will shape an efficient health and social care
system which delivers high quality care at the right time in the
right place.”
Background
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition which affects more than
35,000 people, including around 3,340 children.
Some 70% of NHS diabetes spend is on preventable complications
including treating kidney failure, heart disease, blindness and
foot amputations.
During the programme's first year in 2024-25, the Scottish
Government invested £8.8 million and around 2,100 people received
closed loop systems; including approximately 77% of under 18s
with type 1 diabetes.
In 2025-2026 health boards will receive £7.5 million ongoing
funding for consumables used by the systems and £6.9 million to
support adding 2,500 more people.
Health and Social Care
Service Renewal Framework - gov.scot
