Labour pledges to give every child with diabetes glucose monitoring technology

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Labour has pledged to give every child with kind 1 diabetes a smartphone to allow them to entry new glucose monitoring technology.

The telephones observe blood sugar ranges and work in conjunction with an “artificial pancreas” which routinely gives the affected person with insulin when their ranges are excessive.

Monitoring youngsters’s glucose ranges prevents them from passing out or having a match.

Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer stated it’s a “travesty” that solely those that can afford a smartphone are presently in a position to entry the brand new technology.

In partnership with Virgin Media O2 and the Supporting Children with Diabetes charity, the get together goals to guarantee every household can profit from a smartphone which is suitable with the brand new technology.

Sir Keir informed ITV News: “It’s a travesty that hundreds of children with type 1 diabetes can’t afford smartphones to take advantage of new monitors which check and monitor glucose levels.

“This new technological breakthrough should be available to all children who need it, not to those who can afford a device.

“We need an innovative and collaborative approach to tackle this head-on. That’s why my Labour government will work hand in glove with leading businesses to break down the barriers to access.

“Our 10-year plan for change and modernisation of the NHS will bring our analogue service into the digital age.

“We will secure the benefits of the revolution in medical technology for all. This is implementing traditional values in a modern setting.

“That’s what an incoming, mission-led, Labour government will be all about. Under my leadership, a strong partnership between government, business and civil society will make our NHS fit for the future and give all children the best possible start in life.”

Around 32,000 youngsters within the UK are presently dwelling with the situation, however founder and CEO of the charity Supporting Children with Diabetes Carolyn Goldhill stated many can’t afford a brand new smartphone and are pressured to finger prick to take a look at ranges.

Labour stated the NHS will determine youngsters with kind 1 diabetes who usually are not utilizing trendy glucose screens and direct them to the charity so it will possibly present them with a smartphone.

The announcement comes after Sir Keir and shadow well being secretary Wes Streeting visited Kings Mill Hospital Sutton-in-Ashfield within the East Midlands to meet nurses and sufferers within the maternity ward.

The pair toured the hospital and highlighted the get together’s pledge to digitise the purple ebook given to dad and mom for kids’s medical data, as a part of a collection of modifications to the NHS app.

Mr Streeting stated: “There is a revolution in medical technology taking place before our eyes. Under the Tories, the NHS is failing to secure the advantages of AI and new treatments for its patients, but private healthcare won’t.

“If this continues, the two-tier healthcare system that is emerging in our country today will grow, the gap between public and private widen, and the NHS will become the poor man’s service. That is the future we must avoid.

“Labour will reform the NHS so it takes full advantage of modern technology to deliver better care for all patients.”

Ms Goodhill stated she was “delighted” with the partnership, including: “Since the NHS began supplying continuous glucose monitors to children with type 1 diabetes nearly two years ago, we have been inundated with requests for phones.

“This technology enables young children to lead normal lives, whist their parents and diabetes nurses check their blood sugar levels remotely to ensure they are safe.

“Many families don’t have the funds to buy a mobile phone that is compatible with the device and, without our charity, parents would be forced to revert to constant finger pricking to test blood sugar levels, and would not be able to be separated from their child.

“This partnership will allow us to continue supplying phones to support children from deprived backgrounds, so they can benefit from the latest tech on the NHS.”

Corporate Affairs director of Virgin Media O2 Nicola Green stated: “As someone with type 1 diabetes, I have firsthand experience of how smartphone technology can help manage the condition.

“The recycled devices that Virgin Media O2 is donating to Supporting Children with Diabetes will reduce the hassle and stress for those families affected by Diabetes, making it faster and easy to monitor blood glucose levels.”