Now that NICE has approved Flash Glucose Monitoring for use by Type 1 diabetics, It must be made available by all CCG's. At the moment some CCG's, such as Bedfordshire, are refusing to allow it to be prescribed in their areas.
Why is this important?
Type I diabetes is treated with insulin injections and the diabetic is responsible for the dosage. Diabetics must constantly monitor their blood sugar by pricking their fingers and carrying out a test, they must then adjust the dose of insulin they give according to the results. This is not an exact science and many diabetics do this 10 times per day and during the night. If blood sugar is too high the diabetic may go into a coma, if blood sugar is too low they will suffer rapidly increasing disorientation, If this is not treated they will go into a coma.
Low blood sugar can be treated by eating something sugary but it is a frightening and dangerous thing.
Flash Glucose Monitoring enables the diabetic to see their blood sugar in real time, 24/7. It also indicates whether blood sugar is going up or down allowing the Diabetic to react accordingly and giving them confidence about how they are likely to feel and how much insulin to use.
If you broke your leg and you were offered a wooden splint and some bandages when plastering, pinning etc were available you would find it bizarre and cruel. Denying Type 1 diabetics access to up to date technology is equally cruel and the situation needs to be rectified as soon as possible
