DOZENS of type 1 diabetes patients will be able to receive wearable insulin pumps after £120,000 in funding was left to the Health Department from an Islander’s estate, while a further £112,000 was made available from a charity.
The department has announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the charity Diabetes Jersey that would “accelerate access” to closed-loop insulin pumps.
A total of 18 pumps are funded through Health’s existing budget, and the memorandum of understanding has allowed funding for a further 14. Diabetes Jersey agreed to provide £112,000 for seven pumps, and a further £120,000 was released earlier this year by Health Minister Tom Binet from a charitable trust.
The Health Department has committed to continuing to fund pumps for the seven patients who will benefit from the Diabetes Jersey funding.
Chief of service for medicine Dr David Hopkins said the partnership “will enable more people to benefit from a treatment that can improve blood glucose control and reduce the daily challenge of managing diabetes, bringing us closer to our ambition of delivering the highest standards of diabetes care in Jersey”.
Bill O’Brien, Diabetes Jersey chairman, said: “Diabetes Jersey is delighted that having collaborated with the Health Minister and the executive team at Health and Care Jersey, this Memorandum of Understanding has now been signed by both parties.”
Closed-loop systems for diabetes pair up an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor, which are linked with a computer that works out how much insulin the patient needs.
According to Diabetes UK, the pumps help people with type 1 diabetes keep their blood sugar on track, as the insulin is adjusted automatically rather than manually. It also helps them avoid finger prick tests, though Diabetes UK warns that they still have to count their carbs and log their meals, snacks and drinks.
Their introduction in Jersey was previously announced when then-Deputy Binet signed a ministerial decision to release £120,000 from the E. J. Bailhache Charitable Fund.
His funding application explained that the pumps would improve patient experience.
Around 4,000 to 5,000 of Islanders are known to have diabetes, though more could have undiagnosed or borderline diabites.
The fund was left by the late Eunice Jane Bailhache, who left her estate to the States of Jersey. Her wishes were that it be used for the “general welfare” of sick, elderly and blind people at the Hospital.
Senator Binet thanked Diabetes Jersey and said: “Managing type 1 diabetes is a constant part of everyday life for many Islanders.
“By working in partnership with Diabetes Jersey, we are helping more people access technology that can make managing their condition easier, improve their wellbeing, and support better long-term health outcomes.”
