The NHS Technology Adoption Centre (NTAC) has launched its latest online "How to why to Guide" for Insulin Pump Therapy. This online Guide informs clinicians and managers how to successfully implement insulin pump therapy into routine clinical and operational practice.

Visit the Guide!

Insulin pump therapy can play a pivotal role in improving the management of diabetes. Effective management has been shown to reduce the risk of complications, but when diabetes is not well managed, it is associated with serious complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage and amputations leading to disability and premature mortality.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended insulin pump therapy as one option for people with type 1 diabetes as part of a cohesive and comprehensive diabetes service, but despite this policy guidance, adoption of insulin pump therapy is variable across the UK, and it is reported that many areas of the country see less than 1% uptake of this technology.

The key benefits of implementing this technology include:

• A reduction in emergency hospital admissions. Improved management of blood glucose levels (HbA1c) will reduce the risk of severe hypoglycaemia (symptoms of severe hypoglycaemia include collapse and coma) and/or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
• A reduction in planned hospital admissions and overall length of stay. Better diabetes management will lead to a reduction in inpatient supportive care.
• Delivering more cost effective treatment within the NHS. This is achieved through reduction in long term complications and subsequent demands on health service expenditure, better overall control will reduce the incidents of long term complications and supportive care.
• Higher quality services and support for patients. A systematic approach to implementation will deliver an enhanced clinical service.
• Improved quality of life. Automatic control of insulin pump therapy has been shown to provide significant quality of life improvements and overall treatment satisfaction for patients.

A Business Case Template, a Costing Model, and a Roadmap Section to support clinicians, hospital managers and commissioners in the implementation of this therapy into routine clinical and operational practice.