Insulin pump therapy ‘How to Why to Guide’ launched

The technology was first selected to go forward as a Technology Implementation Project in 2008, based on its strong evidence base. The technology has the potential to bridge gaps between primary and secondary care and can improve clinical outcomes, patient experience and quality of life. Recent publications from NICE support greater use of innovative treatments for people with Type 1 diabetes, such as CSII, compared with more traditional treatments such as a multiple daily injection regimen.

The programme has recently finished taking place and CSII is now being implemented as a routine option for patients at: Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and the Whittington Hospital NHS Trust. Two mentor Trusts have been working with these hospitals to ensure that implementation of the technology was a success, including Kings College London and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust – with Guy’s Hospital acting as a Clinical Advisor site to the programme.

Each team has identified and overcome a variety of “adoption barriers” that will be important in order for the extended NHS to move forward with implementing the technology into mainstream care. NTAC will be showcasing the barriers to adoption, alongside the benefits and tools/mechanisms to overcome them from its implementation sites, via the CSII “How to Why to Guide”.

Hadleigh Stollar, programme manager, NHS Technology Adoption Centre, commented: “The NHS Technology Adoption Centre is very optimistic about the progress that has been made. Implementation Trusts have reviewed their pathways of care for delivering a sustainable insulin pump therapy service, which has undoubtedly been pivotal for people who have subsequently been placed onto an insulin pump in these areas. Four different pathways of care have been developed by implementation teams by going through the NTAC process, which have all been shared in the ‘How to Why to Guide’.

“NTAC hopes that the launch of the guide will see a long-awaited centrally funded payment mechanism under the NHS Payment by Results system. Gaining agreement on a secure funding stream for insulin pump therapy would be an excellent move forward in not only increasing the adoption of this technology but also providing a new standard of care for those who would benefit most from CSII therapy under the NICE guidance.”

The CSII “How to Why to Guide” is aimed at a variety of stakeholders with an interest in implementing CSII therapy. Clinicians who wish to review the evidence base will be able to find the supporting information instantly; managers can access a useful business case tool; while those who require a strategic overview will have access to sections on policy, revised care pathways, costing models, operational service specifications, procurement information and a roadmap to implementation.

Commenting on the launch of the guide, Dr Rowan Hillson MBE, National Clinical Director for Diabetes, said: "People with diabetes should have access to the most appropriate insulin therapy for their needs. This includes insulin pumps where they are indicated. I believe that the 'How to Why to Guide' will be a valuable tool to facilitate the wider adoption of insulin pump therapy and I encourage people to use this in their clinical settings." 

Professor Stephanie Amiel, professor of diabetic medicine at King's College London, added: “The NHS Technology Adoption Centre’s championing of insulin pump therapy is a major step to drive change and encourage the adoption of this technology into the NHS. This guide will be a valuable tool to support clinicians and commissioners in the proper adoption of the technology and improve patient pathways.”

The “How to Why to Guide” can be accessed via www.howtowhyto.nhs.uk

The Clinical Services Journal will also provide an in depth overview of the guide in the printed edition of the August issue.