£10m to help diabetes in Scotland get insulin pumps
People with diabetes in Scotland will benefit from a £10 million government funding boost for better access to insulin pumps and equipment.
People with diabetes in Scotland will benefit from a £10 million government funding boost for better access to insulin pumps and equipment.
The cash backs a new plan to improve the management of type 1 diabetes, which affects about 30,000 people in Scotland.
People with the condition do not produce any insulin, which enables regulation of blood sugar, and typically need regular insulin injections to avoid serious health complications such as blindness and kidney failure.
The Scottish Government funding will pay for more pumps, which are small devices worn by the patient to deliver insulin round the clock and remove the need for several injections per day.
There are about 3,200 insulin pumps in use in Scotland - an increase of more than 400% since 2010 following a £7.5 million Scottish Government programme.
The extra investment will further increase adult insulin pump provision across Scotland over the next five years.
The money will also help provide more people with continuous glucose monitoring equipment.
These devices alert the user if their blood glucose levels are running too high or low, helping them to manage their food and insulin intake.
The kits will be given to priority groups, including people who experience particularly severe cases of hypoglycaemia - where blood sugar levels fall dangerously low - and young children.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: ''We know that insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring kits can make it much easier for some people to manage their type 1 diabetes. Proper control is absolutely key to improving outcomes and preventing complications from developing. This new investment will increase the provision of this equipment, meaning it's available to many more people, and making it easier for them to lead healthy lives.''
Karen Addington, chief executive of type 1 diabetes charity JDRF in the UK, said: ''Evidence shows this type 1 diabetes technology, provided alongside support and training for its use, can improve lives. We welcome the announcement of increased funding to improve access to it.''