Hey, thanks for answering questions! My question is - when can we expect CGMs to be funded/partially funded by the NHS? And who/where do we get in contact to speed this process along? Cause systems take far too long to change, are nearly always out of date, and I'd like to stop paying through the nose for my CGM as soon as humanly possible. On the subject of which, I've just bought myself a Libre and my control is already significantly better, as well as the fact that I've now noticed that I've been having consistent lows during the night but waking up with OK blood sugars (wondered why I always felt shit when I woke up)... something I never would have picked up on by doing conventional tests. Not only that, but (in my case at least) using a combination of a CGM & a few testing strips for certain situations will actually cost the NHS (and me) a lot less money considering the amount of testing strips I was using to try and maintain reasonable blood sugars beforehand (unsuccessfully, I might add). I can do the calculations if need be. I look forward to your reply - thanks!
Hi
@Smiric - apologies in advance for my lengthy reply!
Unfortunately getting a new technology onto the NHS is a slow process, but not an impossibility and there has already been some progress with the Freestyle at least!
Up until recently, the Freestyle could only be purchased privately, but it can now be
purchased by the NHS, however its not yet avaiable on prescription. This means that the NHS could purchase the libre for extreme cases, eg. patients who are unable to finger prick, but it isn't widely available for
all on prescription. This is because, the decision for medication to be available on prescription comes from the
BSA (NHS Business Service Authority). Manufacturers have to apply for reimbursement and the BSA will need evidence of effectiveness. Diabetes UK have invested in and completed two large clinical trials to demonstrate the same value to payers that patients and physicians are experiencing now with FreeStyle Libre. We are actively pursuing reimbursement and Abbott Diabetes Care has submitted to the BSA to have FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System Sensor assessed for listing in the NHS England and Wales Drug Tariff - which would mean that it could be made available on prescription.
Progress is much slower for CGM's. Currently funding is available for CGMs to accessed by children through the NHS, although eligibility is strict and families may only recieve partial funding.
We have worked alongside JDRF and Input Diabetes to provide support for those trying to access the technology. Input Diabetes is an organisation who specialise in helping people access diabetes technology, including accessing funding for CGMs and they have outlined the progress and the barriers around CGM's becoming available throught the NHS on their website:
http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/cgm/cgm-nhs-funding/
http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/cgm/cgm-funding-bigpic/
Ultimately, all new technology has had to go through similar processes to become more widely available. It can be frustrating when we know that the technology is there, and certainly some technology, such as insulin pumps for example, have been processed faster. But there's hope for the future - over the years they have been many advances - things like blood glucose monitors or insulin pens were not so widely available. I am positive that it will eventually be more accessible, it will just (frustratingly) require a bit of time.
But it is the incredible dedication of the moderators and members on here, who really make this forum what it is. Their continuous support and the welcoming & inclusive atmosphere they have created is all thanks to them! (You know who you are!) Delighted to hear that you have already got so much from reading the posts on here, I hope many others feel the same. 
