What action is the Cabinet Secretary taking to increase the levels of staffing and expertise in Welsh health boards to speed up the roll-out of insulin pumps for patients with type 1 diabetes?
We have set out our expectations in the Quality Statement for Diabetes. This includes providing services in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including ensuring equitable access to diabetes technology, such as pumps and sensors.
New guidance from NICE requires the NHS to offer hybrid closed loop systems (which combine sensors, pumps, and delivery control software) to most people with type 1 diabetes. Many more people are now eligible for such a device, as well as all those on legacy systems or those newly diagnosed in the years ahead.
NICE has recognised the scale of the transition required and allowed the NHS to implement the recommendation over a five-year period. Health boards are responsible for rolling out this technology, and the five-year period will provide the NHS with the opportunity to manage capacity, provide training, and put in place the procurement to support more people to move onto hybrid closed loop systems.
The National Strategic Clinical Network for Diabetes is working with health boards to improve access to these devices. A phased approach is being adopted, which prioritises people who would benefit most, including children and young people under 25, and women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
While people are waiting to access hybrid closed loop systems, I expect health boards to continue to help them manage their diabetes using existing treatment or devices, and provide any additional support required.