A Plymouth woman says her life has changed after receiving an 'artificial pancreas' as part of an NHS pilot. Gemma Lavery was one of the first people to try the device for Type 1 diabetics. The pilot has been successful and the NHS has begun identifying people with type 1 diabetes who could receive a world-first "artificial pancreas". Regional bodies in
England have been given £2.5 million to help select patients for the "life-changing" technology as part of a five-year rollout. The Hybrid Closed Loop System device means that people with the condition will not need to inject themselves with insulin, instead the "artificial pancreas" will detect insulin levels and deliver the required dosage to the body. Gemma, 38, received the device as part of the pilot and called it a "game changer". Ms Lavery said: "I no longer have to worry about work-related stress affecting my blood glucose levels as the closed loop helps to sort this out before it becomes a problem. "I can have a full night's sleep without worrying about regular low glucose levels hindering my morning routine and I have found that my diabetes is more stable." The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) approved the rollout of the initiative in December 2023 after the NHS had a successful pilot of the technology which saw 835 adults and children given the devices to manage their condition. Around 270,000 people are living with type 1 diabetes in England. Nice recommends that artificial pancreases be given to children under 18 with type 1 diabetes, pregnant
Women with the condition, and adults who have an average blood sugar reading of 7.5% or more and those who suffer abnormally low blood sugar levels. Nice guidelines recommend people should aim for an HbA1c level of 6.5% or lower. Colette Marshall, chief executive of the Diabetes
UK charity, said: "Diabetes is a tough and relentless condition, but these systems make a significant, life-changing difference improving both the overall health and quality of life for people with diabetes." "This really is a landmark moment and we'll be working with the NHS and others to ensure a fair rollout that reaches people as quickly as possible." Dr Clare Hambling, NHS England's national clinical director, said: "This transformative technology holds the power to redefine the lives of those with type 1 diabetes, promising a better quality of life as well as clinical outcomes." and we want you to join us. Once you sign up for our updates, we'll send the latest
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