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Access to Flash across the UK
A huge step forward in the Fight for Flash
From 1st April 2019, Flash Glucose Monitoring should be available on prescription across the UK to everyone who meets the NHS criteria - no matter where you live. This is a huge step forward for people with type 1 diabetes and means thousands more people will soon have access to this life-changing technology.
This wouldn’t have happened without thousands of people across the diabetes community campaigning to end the Flash postcode lottery over the last 18 months.
This is a really exciting development but to qualify for Flash you will still need to meet the criteria in your area.
What’s the Flash criteria in the UK?
The criteria to qualify for Flash still differs across the UK. Northern Ireland, England and Wales have national criteria which need to be met to qualify for Flash. In Scotland, it will depend on the health board area you live in.
We’ve created four documents which set out exactly what criteria you need to meet across the UK:
We know that, unfortunately, this still won’t mean everyone who could benefit from Flash will be able to access it.
We’ll continue to work with the NHS to broaden the criteria and fight for everyone who can benefit from Flash to be able to access it on prescription.
If you have any issues getting Flash, you can find our advocacy pack (PDF, 226KB), which provides tips on how best to challenge the decision.
“I was really impressed that Diabetes UK helped me to get the Freestyle Libre on prescription for flash glucose monitoring – that’s made a big difference to my mental and physical wellbeing.”
If you live in an area which is prescribing Flash but you're still struggling to access it, please get in touch and let us know why by emailing campaigns@diabetes.org.uk
We’re continuing to fight to make sure everyone with diabetes can access the services and treatments they need.
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