Cutting edge digital technology is helping transform the lives of people in Gloucestershire living with diabetes.

Those with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are seeing improvements in their health and wellbeing and managing their condition better thanks to the use of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensors.

Some patients with Type 1 diabetes are also beginning to use hybrid closed loop (HCL) insulin pumps. For these patients, their CGM communicates glucose levels directly with an insulin pump, which in turn calculates insulin doses needed to maintain healthly glucose levels. The CGM sensors continually read glucose levels, sending the results to a mobile phone App (or reader) 24 hours a day allowing wearers to react quickly to changes in their glucose levels and replacing the traditional finger prick testing which has been in use for decades.

Many patients using these new technologies are finding they are life-changing.

Dr Caroline Bennett, clinical lead for diabetes at NHS Gloucestershire said:

“The sensors might look small but they do a huge job. Anyone with diabetes will tell you the finger prick tests can only give a reading for that exact moment and that glucose levels can change very quickly.

“Continuous monitoring means people can react quickly and take action to adjust their blood glucose levels. This can help people living with diabetes to avoid, or delay, some of the serious complications of the condition, including circulation problems, strokes and issues with the hands and feet.

“Adding in the hybrid closed loop for those with Type 1 diabetes is a real revolution in treatment, using technological advancements to transform care and making a massive difference to the lives of people living with diabetes.”

The diabetes teams based in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital are seeing hugely positive results in patients of all ages using HCL systems. The HCL insulin pump/CGM combination has been particularly effective with younger diabetes patients, who can enjoy a full and active childhood without being restricted by the need to inject insulin and worry about tracking glucose levels through finger prick testing.

Feedback from parents and carers of young people living with diabetes has been very positive with many saying that knowing that the tech can keep them safe and monitor their glucose levels, even at night, makes a huge impact on family life.

Types of diabetes

In plain terms:

  • Type 1 diabetes is where the body is unable to make the hormone insulin.It is often diagnosed in childhood. Insulin therapy is needed to help manage blood glucose levels.
  • Type 2 diabetes is high blood glucose levels due to the body not being able to make enough insulin, or the insulin not working efficiently.

There are currently around 47,000 patients with diabetes being treated in the county, this includes out of county patients who see consultants/ specialists in the county and combines the Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes figures, along with a small number of patients who have more unusual forms of diabetes.

Find out if you are at risk 

There is a push to increase the number of people getting tested for Type 2 diabetes, find out if you are at risk by using this simple tool riskscore.diabetes.org.uk