Audit report calls for improved access to insulin pumps

More people with type 1 diabetes should be considered for pump treatment in line with NICE guidance, the latest National Diabetes Insulin Pump Audit report has recommended.

The 2017-18 report covering England and Wales has called for improved access to the technology to reduce variation in provision and also because of associations with treatment target benefit.

In a series of recommendations, the report, published this month by NHS Digital, is calling for all services delivering type 1 diabetes care to consider those who are eligible during annual, or more frequent, reviews.

The audit collected information on the number and characteristics of people with diabetes using an insulin pump, the reasons for going on an insulin pump and the outcomes achieved since starting on the pump.

It revealed a ten-fold variation between specialist centres in pump use by people with type 1 diabetes which was “unexplained”, with the report saying for the “causes and consequences should be investigated”. In response, the report recommends that all specialist services and commissioners should “consider whether there is adequate understanding, capacity and capability to explain and provide pump treatment.”