Living with diabetes can be relentless and managing it can feel overwhelming.
But with advancements in tech, from blood glucose monitors to insulin pumps and looping, there’s a range of options that can support someone in taking insulin, checking blood sugars and managing their condition. These technologies can change lives.
We know from what people living with diabetes have told us that technology improves quality of life, transforming the way you live with diabetes and helping avoid life-changing complications. But not everyone can access them.
There are certain criteria people need to meet to get diabetes technology prescribed through the NHS. Even if you meet these, it doesn’t guarantee you access. It’s also a postcode lottery because currently there is variation (in provision) across each Health Board.
While some people are in the position to pay for tech, buying it - and ongoing costs - can be hugely expensive. And it’s simply not right that some have this life-changing support, while others don’t, based on their ability to pay or based on where they live.
New data for England and Wales has also shown that children and young people from ethnic minority backgrounds or more deprived communities have increasingly unequal access to the diabetes technology they need, and in our recent survey of over 1000 people living with diabetes in Scotland, one in five said they’re having difficulty getting key diabetes tech. That can’t continue.
Everyone should have free and equal access to what they need to live healthy lives – and it’s time to make that happen.
People across Scotland have been campaigning for changes in access to technology and increased resource to train expert healthcare teams to support PLWD in using the technology for years. We’ve recently come together under one banner to raise each other’s voices – and get heard.
If you’re interested in joining us to make change happen, or want to find our more, get in touch by emailing scotland@diabetes.org.uk
You can find out more about diabetes technology here.
