Debate contribution: Insulin Pumps
Debate contribution by Mr Robin Swann on .
- MLA
- Mr Robin Swann
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 4 March 2024
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Insulin Pumps
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4254439
Read the official Assembly record
Text
In January 2022, I formally announced the setting up of the regional insulin pump service to mark the 100th anniversary of the use of insulin to treat diabetes. That announcement was supported by £200 million of funding by my Department to enable that life-changing service to be established. The investment makes provision for pump devices and the specialist workforce required to support people living with type 1 diabetes to receive insulin pump therapy. The aim of the regional insulin pump service is to improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes, and it was co-produced with people living with diabetes, clinicians and healthcare professionals across all health and social care trusts, alongside Diabetes UK. Our service goal is to provide equity, reduce variability and enhance outcomes for people living with diabetes across Northern Ireland. Centrally, quality of life is a key consideration in pump decision-making. I am proud to report that Northern Ireland is the first of the regions across these islands to have made quality of life a key criterion. Following a formal commissioning process, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust was selected to deliver the service. A regional multidisciplinary team delivers the insulin pump pathway, connecting with local health and social care trusts to provide a high-quality service. In year 1, the service has begun a rebalancing exercise across the region. That directly supports the ambition to have equity as our chief priority. I am pleased to report that, following successful steps to support those experiencing the longest waits, in the context of having an available workforce, the regional insulin pump service will be fully operational from today, Monday 4 March 2024. Without doubt, there is still much work to do, but we have built firm foundations, and, most importantly, work has begun.
297 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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