ACCESS TO INSULIN PUMP THERAPY FOR PEOPLE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES

That this House welcomes Diabetes UK's Diabetes Week (11th to 15th June) campaign to end the postcode lottery for insulin pump therapy; further welcomes the Diabetes Week message that making a small change through providing the technology can make a big difference to the lives of people with diabetes; notes the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendation that insulin pump therapy should be available as a treatment option for people with type 1 diabetes in cases where multiple dose insulin therapy has failed, and the person is willing and able to use insulin pump therapy effectively; notes with concern that this guidance is not being adhered to locally in a uniform manner; is aware that currently only two per cent. of people with type 1 diabetes use pumps in the UK, compared to 10 to 20 per cent. in other European member states and around 15 to 20 per cent. in the United States; believes that the use of pumps can have cost benefits to the local NHS through a reduction in primary care contracts, reduction in hospital admissions and hospital outpatient contacts; and calls on the Government to oversee the implementation of NICE guidance by primary care organisations to end the postcode lottery.