Diabetes: new guidance supports wider access to glucose monitoring technology

Almost 30 000 children living with type 1 diabetes in the UK (are set to be offered new technology to help them manage their condition and at the same time reduce the need for painful finger prick testing by up to 50%.

Updated guidance from the National Institute for Care and Health Excellence (NICE, 2022) has recommended, for the first time, the use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) for children – and adults - living with type 1 diabetes. The technology will give them a continuous stream of real-time information on a smartphone about their current blood glucose level.

Alongside new rtCGM technology, the use of intermittently scanned glucose monitoring (isCGM) devices – also known as flash monitoring – is being expanded to the whole of the type 1 patient population. Patients will now have a choice in picking the technology which is right for them in discussion with their diabetes team.