Type 1 diabetes and insulin pumps

This service has clinics at St Mary’s Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital and utilises technological advances to optimise care. Insulin pump therapy is managed by a multidisciplinary team with dietetic and diabetes specialist nurse support.

Insulin pump therapy offers the closest insulin delivery system to the way the body would produce insulin without diabetes. The pump gives a constant flow of rapid acting insulin to provide background (basal) requirements and boluses of insulin are given to cover food eaten.

Advantages:

Insulin delivery is more predictable and controllable so the risk of hypoglycaemia is reduced.
The opportunity to improve blood glucose control so the risk of long-term complications can be reduced.
Quality of life can be improved
Fewer injections are needed
Insulin requirements can be lower
Ownership of your diabetes

NICE Guidelines

- Insulin Pump Therapy is available as a treatment option for people with type 1 diabetes if:
- Multiple dose insulin (MDI) therapy (including insulin Glargine)
- MDI is considered by NICE to have failed when a person is unable to maintain their blood glucose within recommended levels without disabling hypoglycaemia occurring or HbA1c > 8.5
- The person is willing and able to use an insulin pump effectively

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