On the 10th of May 2024, the Health Service Executive (HSE) supported by the Department of Health launched two important guideline documents, namely the update of National Clinical Guidelines for Adults with Type 1 diabetes, and the update of the Integrated Model of Care for Adults with Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes in Adults: CGM provision
The most important change in this document recommends making continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) available for all adults with Type 1 Diabetes. CGM enables people with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose levels without the need for finger pricking. The HSE has implemented a new reimbursement application system for CGM sensors which came into effect in December 2023.
Following the launch, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “I welcome the publication of this updated NCEC National Clinical Guideline for Type 1 Diabetes in Adults. We have seen great advances in technology in recent years for the management of diabetes. More than 20,000 adults in Ireland live with type 1 diabetes, and it is heartening to see our national clinical guidelines reflect the best available evidence in relation to monitoring blood glucose for these patients“.
“I would like to acknowledge the great work of the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee in advancing patient safety and quality, and the Irish clinical effectiveness agenda, under the chairmanship of Professor Gerry Fitzpatrick. I would also like to congratulate Dr Kevin Moore, Professor Derek O’Keeffe, Ms Dervla Kennedy, the members of the Guideline Development Group, and all who worked to bring this updated guideline to its launch.
Dr Moore, Chair of the Type 1 DM update Guideline Development Group, said: “The updated national guideline for adults with type 1 diabetes provides a clear plan to ensure that everyone in Ireland has access to high quality care“.
In 2018, the NCEC Type 1 Diabetes Guideline was the first NCEC guideline to be developed in Ireland using the England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) contextualisation process. The recommendations are based on the best research evidence and on national and international clinical expertise. This newly updated Type 1 diabetes guideline is based on 2022 updates by NICE.
The Adult Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus v2. National Clinical Guidelines No. 17 (May 2024) is available here!
Integrated Model of Care for people with Type 2 diabetes
The newly updated Integrated Model of Care for people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus was led by chair Dr Eoin Noctor, Consultant Endocrinologist, University Limerick Hospitals Group in collaboration with the National Clinical Programme for Diabetes and a large multi-stakeholder working group consisting of people with diabetes, healthcare professionals and academics.
Dr Eoin Noctor said: “It is an exciting time for type 2 diabetes care in Ireland, with major developments over recent years – there has been significant funding allocated for posts to develop integrated care and modernised care pathways, a widespread focus on treatments to prevent and delay Type 2 Diabetes, and the establishment of the hub model to enhance care of people with type 2 diabetes in the community. This latest Model of Care for people with type 2 diabetes was a fantastic opportunity to lay out these changes in a single structured format, and to build on these developments to clearly set out a road to achieving the highest standards of care for individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Professor Derek O’Keeffe, National Clinical Lead for Diabetes, said: “This evidence based collaborative documents will improve diabetes care in Ireland. I would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the entire multidisciplinary working group who contributed to them, including People living with Diabetes, advocates, academics, and clinicians, led by our excellent chairs. I would also like to sincerely thank all the members of the Diabetes National Clinical Programme.
The Type 2 Diabetes Model of Care can be found here!