The latest digital technology to combat the 24/7 burden of managing diabetes is helping to transform the lives of people living with the chronic disease in Gloucestershire.

People with both Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes – a patient number which now collectively surpasses 47,000 across the county – are seeing improvements in their health and wellbeing and managing their condition better thanks to the introduction of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensors.

In addition, NHS Gloucestershire says that patients with Type 1 diabetes are also beginning to use hybrid closed loop (HCL) insulin pumps. For these patients, their CGM communicates glucose levels in real time directly with an insulin pump which, in turn, calculates and administers the necessary insulin doses needed to ensure healthly glucose levels.

A spokesperson explained: "The CGM sensors continually read glucose levels, sending the results to a mobile phone App (or reader) 24 hours a day allowing wearers to react quickly to changes in their glucose levels and replacing the traditional finger-prick testing which has been in use for decades."

Alongside this, the insulin pump administers insulin from a sub-cutaneous cannula, meaning that (pump failure notwithstanding) no insulin injection from the traditional needle route is necessary.

Many patients using these new technologies are finding they are life-changing.

Dr Caroline Bennett, NHS Gloucestershire clinical lead for diabetes, said: "The sensors might look small, but they do a huge job. Anyone with diabetes will tell you the finger-prick tests can only give a reading for that exact moment and that glucose levels can change very quickly.

"Continuous monitoring means people can react quickly and take action to adjust their blood glucose levels. This can help people living with diabetes to avoid, or delay, some of the serious complications of the condition, including circulation problems, strokes and issues with the hands and feet.

"Adding in the hybrid closed loop for those with Type 1 diabetes is a real revolution in treatment, using technological advancements to transform care and making a massive difference to the lives of people living with diabetes."

The diabetes teams based in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital are seeing hugely positive results in patients of all ages using HCL systems. The HCL insulin pump/CGM combination has been particularly effective with younger diabetes patients, who can enjoy a full and active childhood without being restricted by the need to inject insulin and worry about tracking glucose levels through finger-prick testing.

Feedback from parents and carers of young people living with diabetes has meanwhile been very positive, the Trust says, with many saying that knowing that the tech can keep them safe and monitor their glucose levels, even at night, makes a huge positive impact on family life.

Type 1 diabetes is where the body, namely the pancreas, is unable to make the hormone insulin. It is often diagnosed in childhood. Insulin therapy is needed to help manage blood glucose levels. By contrast, Type 2 diabetes occurs where high blood glucose levels are diagnosed due to the body not being able to make enough insulin, or the body's insulin not working efficiently.

The Trust says that of the 47,000 patients with diabetes being treated in the county, this figure includes out-of-county patients who see consultants/specialists here. The number also and combines the Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes figures, along with a small number of patients who have more unusual forms of diabetes.

● The Trust's update on the disease coincides with a push to increase the number of people getting tested for Type 2 diabetes. To find out if you are at risk, try this simple tool riskscore.diabetes.org.uk.