Diabetic patient denied health technology she tested due to health funding cuts

An Edinburgh based diabetic patient has been told she will be not given the new closed loop diabetic pump technology, despite the fact that she has been testing the system, for the NHS since last year.

Megan Ormond, who has had diabetes for all her teenage and adult life, contacted Labour MSP, Sarah Boyack to raise her situation.

Ms Ormond was taking part in a study of the closed loop system and was told partaking in this study would likely secure her the technology faster.

However, at her last meeting, she was told, due to budget cuts, the closed loop system would not be made available to her after the study.

While using this closed loop system, her HBA1C which is used by doctors to test a patient’s glucose levels over the last 3 months, has been the lowest it has been for her entire time with diabetes.

The Scottish Government’s Diabetic Improvement Plan cites rolling out the closed loop system, as quickly as possible as a key target.

However, due to budget cuts and required savings, NHS Lothian is unable to carry out their rollout of the system at their expected rate.

NHS England began rolling out the closed loop system on the 1^st April 2024.

Commenting on Megan’s case, Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack, said: “Megan’s case shows the absolutely shocking state the SNP Government has allowed NHS Lothian to fall into.

“Life changing technology and treatment are being denied to patients due to a lack of funding. That is unacceptable anywhere in Scotland, never mind our nation’s capital.

“The Scottish Government must act to ensure Megan and other diabetics are able to access this ground-breaking treatment as they were promised.

“There is real opportunity to improve the quality of life for diabetes patients in Edinburgh, but that opportunity isn’t just being denied to my constituents its being snatched away.”

A closed loop system is a game changer for T1 diabetics. One of my constituents tested this system for the NHS However, due to budget cuts the system can’t be rolled out as planned and she must revert to her old insulin pump.
The SNP's cuts are rolling back these opportunities pic.twitter.com/P7i40rNDc8

— Sarah Boyack MSP (@SarahBoyack) April 18, 2024

Megan said: “When I got told that there is potential no funding for me to remain on the system, I felt let down and upset.

“It’s like dangling a sweet in front of a child and then taking it away.

“I was informed a few months back that it was highly likely that I would remain on the system but that’s clearly not the case.

“Part of my job of being a nurse is advocating for the most vulnerable in society but who is advocating for us type 1 diabetics?”

Information on a closed loop system can be found here:

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/diabetes-technology/closed-loop-systems