Written Question · S4W-14930 · Session 4
What its position is on reports that, by March 2013, only three NHS boards could ensure that 25% of people under 18 with type 1 diabetes ha…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that, by March 2013, only three NHS boards could ensure that 25% of people under 18 with type 1 diabetes had access to insulin pump therapy and, in light of it buying 558 insulin pumps toward the end of 2012, what the reasons are for any discrepancies or inequities of access and what steps it is taking to support NHS boards that have not achieved the access to insulin pump therapy target for under 18s.
The answer
Although we welcome the progress that has been made, it is disappointing that not all boards have yet met our commitment. However, we remain absolutely determined to ensure that 25 per cent of people under 18 with type 1 diabetes have access to insulin pump therapy as quickly and as safely as possible.
Boards have reported that they are working to support a number of different aspects of their insulin pump services in order to meet our ambitious commitment. This work has included: in some cases establishing, from scratch, an insulin pump service, ensuring staff are in place and that they have the skills and experience to deliver a safe and effective service and ensuring patients, who for personal reasons have chosen not to take advantage of a pump, are fully aware of the benefits of pump therapy.
All boards have action plans in place that are updated regularly to ensure that they are able to safely meet our commitment as soon as possible.
In order to support boards further in achieving our goal, we are providing an additional £3 million worth of insulin pumps and consumables to boards, on top of the £2.5 million that was provided in 2012.
Furthermore, we have established a new support team of diabetes experts. The team will provide specialist advice and training for local staff with tailored improvement packages. This will help to address local needs by helping boards to safely increase the capacity and expertise of their insulin pump services.
Boards have reported that they are working to support a number of different aspects of their insulin pump services in order to meet our ambitious commitment. This work has included: in some cases establishing, from scratch, an insulin pump service, ensuring staff are in place and that they have the skills and experience to deliver a safe and effective service and ensuring patients, who for personal reasons have chosen not to take advantage of a pump, are fully aware of the benefits of pump therapy.
All boards have action plans in place that are updated regularly to ensure that they are able to safely meet our commitment as soon as possible.
In order to support boards further in achieving our goal, we are providing an additional £3 million worth of insulin pumps and consumables to boards, on top of the £2.5 million that was provided in 2012.
Furthermore, we have established a new support team of diabetes experts. The team will provide specialist advice and training for local staff with tailored improvement packages. This will help to address local needs by helping boards to safely increase the capacity and expertise of their insulin pump services.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-14930 by reference.