Chamber
Plenary, 03 Sep 2009
03 Sep 2009 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Insulin Pump Therapy
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 chaired the breakfast meeting on insulin pumps that the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on diabetes held before the summer recess, I thought that I should make a short contribution to this important debate.
I am sure that the members who are present who also attended that breakfast meeting will have been as impressed as I was by the enthusiastic support for their pumps that was expressed by the patients who possessed them, and by the medical presentation about the effectiveness of pumps in improving glycaemic control in suitable patients. A gentleman from the London area gave us a notable account of his experiences. His blood sugar was maintained at stable and near-normal levels, and his quality of life had improved enormously since he began to use his insulin pump.
That was in stark contrast to the frustration of those who could have, but do not yet have, insulin pumps, which was expressed forcibly by members of the insulin pump awareness group. Their pleas were quite moving because it was clear that they or their children were having a hard time controlling their diabetes and that their quality of life was less than ideal.
It is quite concerning that, across Scotland, an average of just over 1.5 per cent of type 1 diabetic patients currently use pumps, when NICE guidance indicates that up to 14 per cent of patients should be considered as suitable users of pumps. It is also concerning that there is considerable variation in health boards' provision of the service and in waiting times for pump provision.
I know that health boards are having to look carefully at their budget priorities at a time of increasing financial constraint, but the provision of insulin pumps to appropriate patients is undoubtedly a spend-to-save exercise, as the resultant improved blood sugar control and reduced incidence of complications will inevitably lead to fewer primary care contacts and fewer out-patient and in-patient hospital attendances. As David Stewart told us, according to one published study, that will mean an estimated saving of around £23,500 over two years, which surely represents good value for money.
Pumps are also popular with patients. It is notable that they are popular with parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, who will be confident that their offspring's blood glucose is easier to control effectively, with less risk of severe and incapacitating hypoglycaemic episodes. As Ross Finnie said, the NICE guidance recommends pumps for children under 12 if multiple injections of insulin are reckoned to be inappropriate or impractical.
This is not a good time to urge health boards to spend extra money. They are looking to tighten their financial belts. However, if insulin pumps are used for appropriate patients according to up-to-date NICE guidance, they will soon pay for themselves in savings for the NHS. I hope that the minister will look to health boards to make sensible investments in insulin pump therapy, to ease the postcode lottery for patients with type 1 diabetes, to help those whose condition is suitable for such therapy to lead less complicated, more enjoyable and healthier lives, and to avoid some of the complications of such a serious long-term condition.
I am sure that the members who are present who also attended that breakfast meeting will have been as impressed as I was by the enthusiastic support for their pumps that was expressed by the patients who possessed them, and by the medical presentation about the effectiveness of pumps in improving glycaemic control in suitable patients. A gentleman from the London area gave us a notable account of his experiences. His blood sugar was maintained at stable and near-normal levels, and his quality of life had improved enormously since he began to use his insulin pump.
That was in stark contrast to the frustration of those who could have, but do not yet have, insulin pumps, which was expressed forcibly by members of the insulin pump awareness group. Their pleas were quite moving because it was clear that they or their children were having a hard time controlling their diabetes and that their quality of life was less than ideal.
It is quite concerning that, across Scotland, an average of just over 1.5 per cent of type 1 diabetic patients currently use pumps, when NICE guidance indicates that up to 14 per cent of patients should be considered as suitable users of pumps. It is also concerning that there is considerable variation in health boards' provision of the service and in waiting times for pump provision.
I know that health boards are having to look carefully at their budget priorities at a time of increasing financial constraint, but the provision of insulin pumps to appropriate patients is undoubtedly a spend-to-save exercise, as the resultant improved blood sugar control and reduced incidence of complications will inevitably lead to fewer primary care contacts and fewer out-patient and in-patient hospital attendances. As David Stewart told us, according to one published study, that will mean an estimated saving of around £23,500 over two years, which surely represents good value for money.
Pumps are also popular with patients. It is notable that they are popular with parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, who will be confident that their offspring's blood glucose is easier to control effectively, with less risk of severe and incapacitating hypoglycaemic episodes. As Ross Finnie said, the NICE guidance recommends pumps for children under 12 if multiple injections of insulin are reckoned to be inappropriate or impractical.
This is not a good time to urge health boards to spend extra money. They are looking to tighten their financial belts. However, if insulin pumps are used for appropriate patients according to up-to-date NICE guidance, they will soon pay for themselves in savings for the NHS. I hope that the minister will look to health boards to make sensible investments in insulin pump therapy, to ease the postcode lottery for patients with type 1 diabetes, to help those whose condition is suitable for such therapy to lead less complicated, more enjoyable and healthier lives, and to avoid some of the complications of such a serious long-term condition.
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.