AQW 19438/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 05/12/2024
Answered On Date: 19/12/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he has considered a scheme where those with diabetes who are experienced hybrid closed loop (HCL) pump users could act as service ambassadors to provide managed peer support to service users that have just started using HCL pumps.

Answer:

The role of service users, working alongside the Diabetes Network, sharing lived experiences of diabetes, has set the direction of the Network’s efforts to improve diabetes treatment and care. Indeed, in the setting up of the Diabetes Network, provision was made for a collective leadership platform, to support real change in improving outcomes for people living with diabetes. The Regional Insulin Pump Service is a clinical model currently delivered in Northern Ireland to provide equity, reduce variability, and enhance patient outcomes. People living with diabetes involved in the codesign of the Regional Insulin Pump service, reflected the need for ‘quality of life’ to be a key principle. Acceptance of this recommendation made Northern Ireland the first region among the four nations to use this. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Hybrid Closed Loop systems guidance states the support of a trained multidisciplinary team experienced in insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring is required. In addition, the role of peer support is also being considered.