Insulin Pump Network relaunches
The Insulin Pump Network has relaunched with the support of the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD).
The original Insulin Pump Network was launched in May 2012 under NHS Diabetes. But the organisation closed in 2013 and the network folded shortly after.
It was created to improve access to insulin pumps for people with diabetes across the UK.
Teams with an interest in pump therapy came together at an inaugural meeting to share ideas and best practice at the Renaissance Hotel in Manchester.
It was open to consultants, nurse specialists and dieticians involved or interested in insulin pump therapy.
Highlights included a current and forthcoming technology overview from consultant physician Peter Hammond, a guide to effective pump therapy from John Pickup, who is professor of diabetes and metabolism at King’s College London, and interpreting continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data downloads by consultant physician Pratik Choudhary.
The original Insulin Pump Network was launched in May 2012 under NHS diabetes. But the organisation closed in 2013 and the network folded shortly after.
Lesley Jordan, who is chief executive of INPUT Patient Advocacy, attended the event.
She said: “It was a hugely popular event and I believe there were about 40 people on the waiting list who wanted to attend but couldn’t because the day was oversubscribed.
I was delighted to see so many healthcare professionals who embrace technology to help manage type 1 diabetes
“There was some variation in the room on answers to ways to do things but most clinics in attendance were managing to get people onto pumps within three months of deciding their patient needed one which was hugely positive.
“The day wasn’t all about pumps, it also looked at technology as a whole. There was an interesting session about downloads. There’s so much you can get from a download instead of a notepad, even if the person with diabetes isn’t using CGM.
The 2015 National Insulin Pump Audit data was also discussed and Lesley said it was agreed that because only 44 of the 183 NHS clinical centres offering pump services in the UK responded, the data was not fully “representative”.
In addition there was also presentations on the Repose and closed loop in pregnancy trial outcomes.
The afternoon included a series of workshops which were followed by an interactive audience and expert panel discussion around some of the challenges healthcare professionals face in pump services.
Lesley added: “I was delighted to see so many healthcare professionals who embrace technology to help manage type 1 diabetes. INPUT looks forward to seeing the positive impact the IPN will have in the years to come, and hopes to work closely with the network to see pumps, CGM and hybrid closed loops become a routine part of diabetes care.”