Chamber
Plenary, 03 Sep 2009
03 Sep 2009 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Insulin Pump Therapy
I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate on insulin pump provision, which is an important issue, and I congratulate Dave Stewart on securing the debate and on his dogged determination to raise the profile of diabetes in the Parliament and to highlight the need for insulin pumps. He secured a members' business debate on increasing access to insulin pumps last year; tonight's debate gives us an opportunity to reflect on progress at Scotland and health board level on ending the postcode lottery of care and ensuring access to insulin pumps for everyone who meets the criteria, wherever they live in Scotland.
It is unfortunate that, throughout Scotland, there is still far too little access to insulin pump therapy. The Government has committed to monitoring its availability closely. I would appreciate an update from the minister on that work and on how the Government plans to ensure that Scotland achieves the rates that are proposed in the NICE guidance, according to which between 4 and 15 per cent of people who have type 1 diabetes in Scotland should benefit from insulin pump therapy. Currently, only 450 people who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are using pumps. If the 15 per cent rate were achieved, more than 4,000 people would be on pumps. That would be a tenfold increase on the current provision. Substantial progress must be made if we are to achieve the rates in the NICE guidance.
Scotland's record is poor in comparison with that of other western countries. Scotland is at the bottom of the league table of western health care systems' delivery of insulin pumps. In Lanarkshire, which I represent, only 1.1 per cent of the people who have type 1 diabetes have a pump—the third lowest percentage in Scotland. Even if all health boards in Scotland achieved only the minimum, 4 per cent uptake, another 651 people in Scotland would benefit from insulin pump therapy, which would undoubtedly make a difference to their lives.
Despite the existing guidance and policies and despite the apparent commitment at national and health board level, the majority of people who could benefit from insulin pumps simply do not have access to that valuable therapy. Too many diabetics continue to fight against a health service that is reluctant to grant them access to such treatment.
Although there is no doubt that substantial costs are associated with the treatment, considerable savings to the NHS can accrue when people use insulin pumps. Diabetes UK Scotland estimates that the reduction in the need for on-going clinical intervention for problems such as recurrent hypoglycaemic episodes and hyperglycaemia could result in savings of up to £23,500 per patient over just two years. Those savings could be offset against the cost of maintaining a patient on insulin pump therapy.
A recent survey by Diabetes UK Scotland found that pumps are within the top five priorities for local service development, especially for parents of children with diabetes. However, although NICE has recommended that between 15 and 50 per cent of under-12s with diabetes would be suitable for pump therapy, the latest statistics show that we have only 57 under-15-year-olds in Scotland on pumps.
Other members have mentioned Diabetes UK's campaign to pump up the volume. I am wearing my campaign badge tonight and encourage other members to do the same.
It is unfortunate that, throughout Scotland, there is still far too little access to insulin pump therapy. The Government has committed to monitoring its availability closely. I would appreciate an update from the minister on that work and on how the Government plans to ensure that Scotland achieves the rates that are proposed in the NICE guidance, according to which between 4 and 15 per cent of people who have type 1 diabetes in Scotland should benefit from insulin pump therapy. Currently, only 450 people who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are using pumps. If the 15 per cent rate were achieved, more than 4,000 people would be on pumps. That would be a tenfold increase on the current provision. Substantial progress must be made if we are to achieve the rates in the NICE guidance.
Scotland's record is poor in comparison with that of other western countries. Scotland is at the bottom of the league table of western health care systems' delivery of insulin pumps. In Lanarkshire, which I represent, only 1.1 per cent of the people who have type 1 diabetes have a pump—the third lowest percentage in Scotland. Even if all health boards in Scotland achieved only the minimum, 4 per cent uptake, another 651 people in Scotland would benefit from insulin pump therapy, which would undoubtedly make a difference to their lives.
Despite the existing guidance and policies and despite the apparent commitment at national and health board level, the majority of people who could benefit from insulin pumps simply do not have access to that valuable therapy. Too many diabetics continue to fight against a health service that is reluctant to grant them access to such treatment.
Although there is no doubt that substantial costs are associated with the treatment, considerable savings to the NHS can accrue when people use insulin pumps. Diabetes UK Scotland estimates that the reduction in the need for on-going clinical intervention for problems such as recurrent hypoglycaemic episodes and hyperglycaemia could result in savings of up to £23,500 per patient over just two years. Those savings could be offset against the cost of maintaining a patient on insulin pump therapy.
A recent survey by Diabetes UK Scotland found that pumps are within the top five priorities for local service development, especially for parents of children with diabetes. However, although NICE has recommended that between 15 and 50 per cent of under-12s with diabetes would be suitable for pump therapy, the latest statistics show that we have only 57 under-15-year-olds in Scotland on pumps.
Other members have mentioned Diabetes UK's campaign to pump up the volume. I am wearing my campaign badge tonight and encourage other members to do the same.
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-4723, in the name of David Stewart, on insulin pump therapy. The debate will be conclu...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament acknowledges the benefits that insulin pumps have for people with type 1 diabetes in assisting with the condition; notes that between 4% ...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to debate access to insulin pumps and thank members throughout the chamber who signed the motion and who have deferred travelling t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
We come to the open debate. As a substantial number wish to speak, I ask members to limit their contributions to four minutes.
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate David Stewart on securing this debate on an issue of great importance for many families throughout Scotland. As we have heard, type 1 diabetes...
The Minister for Public Health and Sport (Shona Robison):
SNP
I have information on Ayrshire and Arran, which the member might find useful. As I understand it, a redesign of the dietetic resource is going on, to support...
Kenneth Gibson:
SNP
I am delighted to hear that. I was contacted by constituents about the issue only this week. If that redesign is taking place, I hope that people whose child...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
The member should conclude.
Kenneth Gibson:
SNP
I will finish on that point, then.
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
I am obliged.
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate on insulin pump provision, which is an important issue, and I congratulate Dave Stewart on securing the deba...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
That is a good point on which to conclude.
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I, too, congratulate David Stewart on securing the debate. It is appropriate that we discuss insulin pump therapy again, given the commitment that the Cabine...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
The member must conclude.
Mary Scanlon:
Con
I will leave it there.
Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab):
Lab
As has been said, Parliament had the opportunity to discuss this important matter in May 2008. I thank Dave Stewart for securing this evening's debate and fo...
Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD):
LD
I, too, congratulate David Stewart on securing the debate and on his continued interest in the matter.I must make a declaration of interest, Presiding Office...
Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab):
Lab
I congratulate David Stewart on continuing to bring to our attention an issue that is of great significance to far too many people throughout Scotland.Let me...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
At this stage, I would be prepared to accept a motion without notice to extend the debate by up to 10 minutes.
Motion moved,
That, under Rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended by up to 10 minutes.—David Stewart.
Motion agreed to.
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I, too, am pleased that David Stewart has secured the debate and thank him for his efforts in doing so. My comments will be fairly brief but, given that I ch...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab):
Lab
I, too, congratulate David Stewart on securing the debate, which is the third debate on diabetes in the Parliament. As Nanette Milne said, we received a help...
The Minister for Public Health and Sport (Shona Robison):
SNP
I acknowledge David Stewart's long-standing commitment to the issue in the Parliament. As members have said, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing n...
Karen Whitefield:
Lab
The Government is currently undertaking work to review the Scottish diabetes framework. I do not expect the minister to tell us what will be in the revised d...
Shona Robison:
SNP
I will come on to the framework in a minute.Some of the credit for the progress that has been made—albeit that there is still more to do—must be given to the...
Meeting closed at 17:53.