Recently various petitions have been circulating the Diabetes Online Community, so today let's pretend to write our own. Tell us who you would write the petition to - a person, an organisation, even an object (animate or inanimate) - get creative!! What are you trying to change and what have you experienced that makes you want this change?In light of the UK's first ever audit of insulin pump use, I would petition for better access to insulin pumps. According to the audit, only 7% of the 247, 500 people living with type one diabetes in the UK have an insulin pump.
In my opinion, this figure needs to increase. I mean, the UK's going in the right direction, but slowly. Insulin pumps better mimic what the pancreas does, and the long-term benefits of the pump can reduce the risk of further diabetes-related complications.
I understand that pumps are expensive, but it's our health at the end of the day, and you can't put a price on health and well-being. So, I think if patients with diabetes wish to discuss insulin pump therapy, they should be able to, without being shot down at the mere mention of it. We should be able to put forward our case, and if we meet the NICE Guidelines, we should be granted the funding for one.
Diabetes-related technology is changing rapidly, what with updated insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and here in the UK it can be a struggle to get our hands on the "basics" because we get told "no" if we utter the word "pump".
Insulin pumps and being able to put your case forward: that's what I'd petition for.
Couldn't agree with you more, Vicki. They are more expensive than providing resources for insulin injections, but in the long run it will cost the NHS soooo much less because there will hopefully be less people with diabetes with complications! The government/whoever is in charge of this stuff needs to see the bigger picture. Lovely post and I'd sign your petition! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Daisy! I've loved your posts so far this week, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest! Take care, sugar! xxx
DeleteI'm actually thinking of coming back to the UK when I retire from work here in Canada (Wales is my dream place to live if I come back home). One of the perks of moving back to UK - that you have country wide insulin pump program (we don't here in Canada - only some provinces have it - but they are for younger folks). Now, if only I'd had a pump since 1967 when I was first diagnosed - wouldn't that be a dream. And yes, pumps are tres cher - but for some of us - they are the cats meow - and if no coverage - we'll find ways to afford one out of our own savings - it can be done. I'm lucky I can do both, but secretly I do prefer insulin pumping over the 8-10 shots a day (I'm like a human fountain LOL ).
ReplyDeleteHi Anna!
ReplyDeleteIt is true that we do have a country wide insulin pump program. I have a basic understanding of how pump funding works in the UK, and I understand that not everyone qualifies for one, I just remember being shot down at the mere mention of the word; I wasn't given a chance to put forward my case. In the future, I'll look into self-funding, but right now I'm a university student, so self funding really is out of the question! I don't blame you for prefering pumping to shots! You feel like a human pin-cushion after a while! I know I do, and I've only been doing it for three years!
If a signature from the U.S. would help, I'd sign in an instant!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen! D-Blog Week has been a huge success thus far! Thanks for organising it again!
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