I got my pump on the NHS more than 10 years ago. I had it because of severe night-time hypos.
My HbA1C was fine (5.2) and has stayed pretty much the same since going on the pump, but it's got rid of those evil night-time hypos which were making me afraid to go to sleep. I felt 10 years younger a couple of days after I got it. I felt I'd got my life back.
I can't imagine not having a pump. I never want to take any long-acting insulin ever again! Spiker, you're absolutely right about long-acting insulins being a blunt instrument. With my pump, I can set varying hourly basal rates throughout the night and that's what my body needs. One hour I have as little as 0.1 units, another hour I have as much as 1 unit. There's no way any long-acting insulin could do that. My GP tried to make me try Lantus but I told her she was missing the point. I didn't want a flat line of action - I needed something that adjusted to my body's needs.