More blood glucose monitoring devices now available to patients on prescription

More blood glucose monitoring devices are now available on prescription for people with diabetes, say health bosses at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

Patients with Type 1 diabetes (and some with Type 2 diabetes) will be able to manage their condition more effectively via a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

With access to more devices via prescription, it is hoped the technology will not only improve the quality of life for more patients but also help to reduce hospital visits and complications associated with diabetes.

Those with certain conditions or disabilities that make it hard to self-monitor blood glucose levels will also benefit from the use of these devices.

Dr Syed Gillani, Clinical Lead for Diabetes at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “Pieces of wearable technology like this can have a transformative effect for people living with diabetes, improving their quality of life and diabetes outcomes.

“We know that getting access to continuous glucose monitors can be difficult, even when people meet the eligibility criteria, so having more of them available on prescription is a big step forward towards greater choice and easier access.

“I would encourage eligible patients with diabetes across the county to talk about the CGM device at their next annual review and to understand how it might be able to help them manage their condition.”

For more information on the blood glucose monitoring devices and eligibility criteria, please visit the Diabetes UK website: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/nice-guidelines-recommend-wider-use-for-flash-and-cgm