Type 2 Diabetes: Continuous Glucose Monitors

Debate between Baroness Merron and Lord Rennard

Tuesday 19th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I could get used to that reception, but I am not sure that I will get used to three Questions and a repeat UQ. However, I thank your Lordships’ House.

More than 200,000 eligible people living with diabetes currently benefit from real-time CGM, or continuous glucose monitoring. CGM data-reporting systems are being developed to aid the delivery of rollout by integrated care boards. Alongside this, the data is collected as part of the national diabetes audit. From 2025-26, NHS England plans to publish that data routinely on the audit’s quarterly dashboard, which will provide the insights that ICBs need, including data on CGM uptake, variation and health inequalities.

[Lord Rennard (LD)]

Many more people with type 2 diabetes could benefit from this technology. People living in deprivation and people of black and south Asian ethnicity are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, are less likely to receive essential diabetes care and experience worse health outcomes. However, according to Diabetes UK, only 24 of 42 integrated care boards in England have a policy for continuous glucose monitoring for people with type 2 diabetes that is in line with guidance from NICE. How will the Government ensure equal access to such monitors for people with type 2 diabetes?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Lord makes a very fair observation. Work is going on in a wider equality monitoring programme exploring how to keep an eye on equality repercussions, including ethnicity, by reference to protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010. Importantly to the point he raised, the review includes consideration of how NHS ethnic group categories can be updated. The outcome of the review—this is the point I really want to emphasise—will ultimately guide a process of reducing inequalities, but I accept his challenge and his point.