NHS Diabetes Publishes Report on Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose

An NHS Diabetes report, has been published which examines and makes recommendations regarding the subject of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) amongst those with Type 2 diabetes who are not taking insulin . This report was commissioned by the National Clinical Director for Diabetes in England.
An NHS Diabetes working group was set up stablished with appropriate stakeholders to undertake it and this is the report they have published.
A thorough review of the evidence from the Health Technology Assessment programme (HTA) programme was conducted to inform their discussions.
Their key recommendations include:
SMBG with relevant structured education ought to be available to those receiving sulphonylurea treatment to identify hypoglycaemic episodes.
SMBG ought to routinely just be provided to those with Type 2 diabetes not treated with insulin or sulphonylureas where there is an agreed purpose or goal to testing.
SMBG ought to only be used within a care package. This ought to include regular reviews to identify and support those who find it useful while discouraging those who gain no clinical benefit from continuing to test.
Those with non-insulin treated diabetes who are motivated by SMBG activity and use the information provided to maximise the effect of lifestyle and medication ought to be encouraged to continue monitoring.
Further research ought to be conducted to identify those who are going to gain the most from SMBG and how this can be integrated successfully into their lives.