Close loop insulin pump funding NHS

[Magda8112]

I would like to check if anyone has been able to get Omnipod 5 close loop pump on NHS. I live in West Sussex and I was told 18 months ago that I would be eligible for that pump ( I have type 1 diabetes and pancreatitis) so despite all the efforts management of my diabetes is very challenging and I get loads of hypos. I believe close loop pump would help me to get rid of those lows but I keep getting told that it still not funded by NHS in my region. Not sure if that is indeed true or not. Does anyone have any experience here and knows if Omnipod 5 is now available on NHS? Thanks

 

[h884]

I am moving onto Omnipod 5 closed loop soon. Not sure exactly when. It will be NHS funded. I live in Scotland. Hope you get somewhere with this.

In your area It may well not be funded or funding may not be available currently

 

[becca59]

@Magda8112 Technically the funding has been allocated for all areas. It has been ring fenced specifically for closed loops. However, there is a hierarchy for who will get it for the first five years. Starting with children and pregnant women. Then order of severity of problems. So you may not be as high up that list as you would wish to be.

 

[searley]

I would like to check if anyone has been able to get Omnipod 5 close loop pump on NHS. I live in West Sussex and I was told 18 months ago that I would be eligible for that pump ( I have type 1 diabetes and pancreatitis) so despite all the efforts management of my diabetes is very challenging and I get loads of hypos. I believe close loop pump would help me to get rid of those lows but I keep getting told that it still not funded by NHS in my region. Not sure if that is indeed true or not. Does anyone have any experience here and knows if Omnipod 5 is now available on NHS? Thanks

I have closed loop in Hampshire.. BUT I know the hospital have a waiting list of people wanting a pump…. Its expensive and they have limited budget

 

[Idle Sean]

I would like to check if anyone has been able to get Omnipod 5 close loop pump on NHS. I live in West Sussex and I was told 18 months ago that I would be eligible for that pump ( I have type 1 diabetes and pancreatitis) so despite all the efforts management of my diabetes is very challenging and I get loads of hypos. I believe close loop pump would help me to get rid of those lows but I keep getting told that it still not funded by NHS in my region. Not sure if that is indeed true or not. Does anyone have any experience here and knows if Omnipod 5 is now available on NHS? Thanks

I've been on Omnipod since early September, in Oxford HA, and Dexcom CGM for 4 years before that, due to hypo-unawarenes. That unawareness seems to be the biggest factor in my progress through the admin stages which are very slow, but progressive.

 

[oldgreymare]

@Magda8112 Technically the funding has been allocated for all areas. It has been ring fenced specifically for closed loops. However, there is a hierarchy for who will get it for the first five years. Starting with children and pregnant women. Then order of severity of problems. So you may not be as high up that list as you would wish to be.

Hi @Magda8112,

As @becca59 notes, Hybrid Closed Loop (HCL) pump roll-out was approved for NHS England on an extended 5 year rollout in early 2024. This long rollout is due to the significant funding required, the need for more specialist trained staff to support expanded pump use, and also the ability of the pump manufacturers to manufacture the required equipment. After children and pregnant women, I believe that existing non closed loop pump users are next in line. Do you already use a standalone pump? Are you a confident CGM user and share its data with your diabetes clinic?

Also, although the Omnipod 5 is one of the NHSE's approved HCL pumps, not all individual Health Authorities may offer it - some clinics only offer one or two pump types, others can support a wider choice. Do keep engaging with your diabetes team and keep asking what you can do to improve your chances of being approved.

 

[vic hill]

Have some idea how system works all on history
have had 2 TIAS IN MAY AND SEP Th medication i WAS ON gave me a lot of lows eating lots of snacks to to stay normal blood sugars
now have put on better meds thanks to docs NHS
ONE THING I DID LEARN if you go low AFTER MEALS REDUCE BOLIS INSULIN DOWN .
AND DURING SAY LOW AT 11 AM WORK BACK 2 HOURS TO REDUCE BASIL RATES BUT ONLY SMALL CHANGES SAY .3 PER HOUR
VIC ON INSULIN SINCE 1957
good luck I MAY BE OFFERSED CAM X BUT TO COMPLICATER FOR ME STRES S WISE AS STILL DO GARDEN DIY AND WALKS I HAVE TO PLAN FOR 2 HOURS AHEAD ON WALK AND TAKE CARBS EVEY 15 MINS till SETTLES
ANYWAYS STAY SAFE VIC

 

[notafanofsugar]

Has anyone had success getting funding for a pump when DSN is against it?

 

[Jodiedog]

I would like to check if anyone has been able to get Omnipod 5 close loop pump on NHS. I live in West Sussex and I was told 18 months ago that I would be eligible for that pump ( I have type 1 diabetes and pancreatitis) so despite all the efforts management of my diabetes is very challenging and I get loads of hypos. I believe close loop pump would help me to get rid of those lows but I keep getting told that it still not funded by NHS in my region. Not sure if that is indeed true or not. Does anyone have any experience here and knows if Omnipod 5 is now available on NHS? Thanks

Well it took me 7 years to get what l needed , classed as extremely brittle insulin dependent diabetic for 48 years , l know how l work and yes l knew insulin wasn’t working as previously on Bovine so changed to Humulin but they insisted it was the only one suitable for me ! so l tried various means of getting blood sugars back into range whilst constantly telling them what l needed , then we had COVID to get through , one of their suggestions was l use a Fiasp pen and inject every hour ! my response was why when that is what a Omnipod 5 closed loop system does , they told me they only give them to the young not the old , which is when l went down the age discrimination route and that by law now all insulin dependent diabetic patients were entitled to the technology that could best control it . I finally got my Omnipod, Fiasp and Dexcom on the 5th December 2024 , where they told me it would take at least six months to see if it made a difference, l’m happy to say within 5 days there was a massive difference to say l feel reborn is an under statement, l am living again not just fighting to survive, they recently at a check up tried to say l was only on a 3 month trial period but l had already got my ducks in a row and quoted that they cannot take away this technology as it is working effectively, efficiently and controlling my diabetes to the best it has been for a very long time as even family/friends have said l am actually living now , my whole body language and mental health has improved 100%, so l would say keep fighting as only you know what works for you , contact Omnipod they will fight for you too, but please don’t be disappointed if you do get to try it and then find it doesn’t suit or work for you because no one thing suits all , best wishes and good luck .

 

[LYN928P]

I would like to check if anyone has been able to get Omnipod 5 close loop pump on NHS. I live in West Sussex and I was told 18 months ago that I would be eligible for that pump ( I have type 1 diabetes and pancreatitis) so despite all the efforts management of my diabetes is very challenging and I get loads of hypos. I believe close loop pump would help me to get rid of those lows but I keep getting told that it still not funded by NHS in my region. Not sure if that is indeed true or not. Does anyone have any experience here and knows if Omnipod 5 is now available on NHS? Thanks

Yes, I have been on it for almost a year (T1 of over 50 years). I live in the NE and they are very proactive at getting all T1’s on a pump.

 

[Melgar]

@Jodiedog I just want to welcome you to the forum.
I also want to say well done on advocating for yourself (you shouldn't have to) and getting the Omnipod 5 closed loop system, which is clearly working very well for you.

 

[margot_c_wallace]

I would like to check if anyone has been able to get Omnipod 5 close loop pump on NHS. I live in West Sussex and I was told 18 months ago that I would be eligible for that pump ( I have type 1 diabetes and pancreatitis) so despite all the efforts management of my diabetes is very challenging and I get loads of hypos. I believe close loop pump would help me to get rid of those lows but I keep getting told that it still not funded by NHS in my region. Not sure if that is indeed true or not. Does anyone have any experience here and knows if Omnipod 5 is now available on NHS? Thanks

I live in croydon and have had omnipod 5 since december

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

In my area regarding any form of pump.
I was told by my consultant, they have the money. Just not the “people” regarding any form of training/tuition.

 

[BadaBing]

I live in croydon and have had omnipod 5 since december

Congratulations!

I'd be interested to know, how long did you have to wait before you were put on Omnopod 5?

Was it difficult to get approved and funded by your local health authority?

Was the training helpful?

Are you using Omnipod 5 with the Freestyle Libre 2 Plus? Are the rumours about connectivity issues true?

Or are you using the Dexcom G6?