Driving regional success for a national programme roll-out – HCL
A collaborative project across the South West and three health innovation networks to support Integrated Care Boards with the implementation of Hybrid Closed Loop (HCL) technologies, easing the physical and mental burden on people living with diabetes.
Impact
- 317 people received HCL devices across Devon and Somerset as part of a wider South West project.
- Paediatrics, pregnant women, and women trying to get pregnant were the key groups to benefit in Year 1.
- Demonstrated the value of regional collaboration and cross-organisational expertise, including across health innovation network organisations.
- Facilitated procurement through regional events with NHS Supply Chain, HCL product suppliers and ICB forums.
- Delivered a financial modelling and workforce planning tool to support implementation.
- Enhanced planning and alignment with Pathway Mapping Workshops.
Project summary
Managing type 1 diabetes usually involves regularly measuring blood glucose levels and multiple daily insulin injections. Hybrid closed loop (HCL) devices deliver insulin automatically using a calculation based on continuous glucose measurements.
This project aimed to support our regional ICBs to deliver the new NICE technology appraisal guidance for the implementation of HCL devices as part of a nationally funded five-year roll-out programme. Three health innovation network organisations in the South West have supported Year 1 of delivery, working collaboratively across all seven ICBs. This included support on pathway transformation, modelling the pricing implications of the approach, and identifying potential economies of scale through innovative bulk purchase.
Paediatrics, pregnant women, and women trying to get pregnant were the key groups to benefit in Year 1.
Diabetic girl with a CGM sensor on her arm. Father using an app to monitor blood sugar levels.
Rationale
It is estimated that approximately 400,000 people in the UK are living with type 1 diabetes, including around 29,000 children. If type 1 diabetes is not well controlled, people are at increased risk of long-term complications of hyperglycaemia, including microvascular damage such as retinopathy and blindness, nephropathy and neuropathy. They are also at increased risk of macrovascular complications such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
Living with diabetes places a mental strain on individuals and their families, who must regularly interpret complex data and perform multiple calculations to manage insulin levels effectively. This ongoing effort can be mentally draining, impact emotional well-being, and often results in burnout. HCL systems aim to ease the mental burden and enhance overall quality of life.
Key stakeholders
- Health Innovation South West led the project working with Health Innovation West Of England and Health Innovation Wessex.
- Other stakeholders include NHS England national and regional teams, ICB leads, acute and community clinical teams, procurement teams, Diabetes UK and device suppliers.
Next steps
Implementation of HCL technologies will be taken forward by the regional ICBs. There is potential to connect this project with wider work on diabetes.
Working collectively across three health innovation networks demonstrated the value of regional collaboration and cross-organisational expertise.
