16KIT
HCL update
The who, what and when for accessing hybrid closed
loop (HCL) technology according to Diabetes UK.
HCL who, what
& when…
Accessing closed loop systems
(HCL). So, the first question, is
who is eligible? The tech has been
recommended for the following
people living with Type 1 diabetes:
• Children and young people (under
18 years old)
• People who are pregnant or
planning to become pregnant
• Adults who have an HbA1c of 58
mmol/mol (7.5%) or higher, or have
disabling hypoglycaemia, despite
best possible management with at
least one of an insulin pump, CGM
or Flash.
Then you would ask, when will I be
able to get it? The rollout of hybrid
closed loop is going to be phased over
five years, so it won't be available to
everyone straight away. It's likely it
will take up to a few years for some
eligible people to be offered the tech.
Priority will initially be given to:
• Children and young people and
people who are pregnant or
planning to become pregnant,
where the need to optimise care is
often highest.
• Adults who meet the criteria and
already use insulin pumps, where
it could be easier to transition over
to hybrid closed -loop with less
intensive training needs.
It would not be unreasonable to ask,
why can't everyone get it straight
away? The reason is that healthcare
teams are not ready to offer hybrid
closed loop (HCL) to everyone eligible
straight away. They need time to
train their staff, to make sure they
have the skills to help people use
the tech effectively. Although this
is disappointing to those people
who will have to wait longer, but
Diabetes UK believes that the fiveyear
implementation plan will prevent
widening health inequalities or
making gaps in access to tech worse.
How can I get it? Diabetes teams
will offer the tech during routine
appointments, so if you're eligible you
should wait to discuss moving on to
hybrid closed loop at your next one.
For more information and answers to
your questions, CLICK HERE.