Chamber
Plenary, 21 May 2008
21 May 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Insulin Pumps
I thank David Stewart for bringing the issue to the chamber, and I thank those in the public gallery who have attended to hear the debate. Like other members, I pay tribute to the work of Diabetes UK Scotland.
Other members have highlighted effectively the scale of the diabetes challenge. More than 200,000 people in Scotland have a diagnosis of diabetes. Every one of them needs access to high-quality services and appropriate educational programmes to optimise self-management. People with type 1 diabetes, who need insulin to survive, make up about 13 per cent of the total. That means that more than 27,000 people need access to structured care, timely advice and local education programmes.
As we have heard in the debate, between 1 and 2 per cent of people with type 1 diabetes use an insulin pump to deliver insulin continuously. There is no doubt that, for suitable people with type 1 diabetes, getting access to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion—I will refer to that as insulin pump therapy from now on—can be a life-changing event. We have heard examples of that during the debate. I assure David Stewart and others that the Government is committed to ensuring that people with type 1 diabetes who meet the criteria should have access to the insulin pumps that deliver therapy.
Other members have highlighted effectively the scale of the diabetes challenge. More than 200,000 people in Scotland have a diagnosis of diabetes. Every one of them needs access to high-quality services and appropriate educational programmes to optimise self-management. People with type 1 diabetes, who need insulin to survive, make up about 13 per cent of the total. That means that more than 27,000 people need access to structured care, timely advice and local education programmes.
As we have heard in the debate, between 1 and 2 per cent of people with type 1 diabetes use an insulin pump to deliver insulin continuously. There is no doubt that, for suitable people with type 1 diabetes, getting access to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion—I will refer to that as insulin pump therapy from now on—can be a life-changing event. We have heard examples of that during the debate. I assure David Stewart and others that the Government is committed to ensuring that people with type 1 diabetes who meet the criteria should have access to the insulin pumps that deliver therapy.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S3M-1888, in the name of David Stewart, on increasing access to insulin pumps. The debate ...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes the considerable benefits that insulin pumps have for diabetics to help them to manage their condition; notes with concern the curr...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to debate increased access to insulin pumps specifically, but also the bigger picture of diabetes and its role in health care manag...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I am pleased to take part in the debate and I commend David Stewart on lodging the motion. Since I entered Parliament five years ago, my focus and that of ma...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
I am sorry—I do not want to be a spoilsport, and I should have said this earlier—but applause from the public gallery is not permitted.
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in this evening's debate and congratulate David Stewart on securing a members' business debate on this important topic.Som...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab):
Lab
I, too, congratulate David Stewart on securing this debate. I am slightly disappointed that there are not more members in the chamber—indeed, one party is no...
James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to take part in this evening's debate on the provision of insulin pumps and congratulate David Stewart on bringing the issue to the...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon):
SNP
I thank David Stewart for bringing the issue to the chamber, and I thank those in the public gallery who have attended to hear the debate. Like other members...
Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab):
Lab
We heard during the debate of the poor figures for Ayrshire and Arran. Given that, does the cabinet secretary feel it appropriate to get in touch specificall...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I am always happy to follow up issues individually with health boards, and I will return to the issue of variability across boards in a minute.As members are...
Meeting closed at 17:42.