A TOTAL of £120,000 will be drawn from a charitable trust fund to purchase insulin pumps in a bid to “improve the outcome and experience of patients with diabetes”.
A recent ministerial decision will see the money transferred from the E. J. Bailhache Charitable Fund, which was set up for the general welfare of elderly, blind or sick Islanders at the General Hospital.
The funding transfer was approved by Health Minister Tom Binet.
According to the ministerial decision, the purchase of “modern diabetic pumps” will “deliver significant improvements in clinical outcomes for patients”.
An insulin pump is a small electronic device that automatically releases the insulin that diabetic people cannot make themselves.
The pumps mean that patients can keep their blood sugar levels in their target range without the need for manual insulin injections.
The funding application explained: “By ensuring precise and timely insulin delivery, these devices help maintain blood glucose levels within a safe range, reducing the risk of both hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia.
“As a result, patients experience fewer diabetes-related complications, fewer emergency
presentations, shorter hospital admissions, and faster recovery times.
“Overall, modern pumps support better long-term health and reduce the likelihood of serious illness associated with poorly controlled diabetes.”
The document also pointed to improve patient experience, explaining that contemporary insulin pump technology offers patients a greater sense of confidence, independence, and control in the management of their condition.
“With automated dosing that responds to real-time glucose readings, patients are able to live their daily lives knowing that their diabetes is being managed safely and effectively,” it added.
“This reduces anxiety, enhances quality of life, and allows individuals to focus on everyday activities without constant concern about fluctuating blood sugar levels.”
Approximately 4,500 to 5,000 people in Jersey are known to have diabetes, representing about 5% of the Island’s population.
In addition to these diagnosed cases, it is estimated that around 1,500 to 2,000 further Islanders may have undiagnosed or borderline diabetes.
