To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his Department’s implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance on hybrid closed loop systems for managing blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes.

Following the endorsement of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence TA943 as applicable to Northern Ireland, my Department has requested work to be undertaken to understand the implications.

Work has been completed in terms of overall provision; priority groups; system costs; workforce and communication requirements to both enable and support. Funding is required for devices in addition to upskilling and recruiting the workforce needed to offer Hybrid Closed Loop safely, effectively and equitably across the region.

I have recently supported the establishment of a clinical working group to work with relevant stakeholders across Health and Social Care to develop an implementation plan which outlines an appropriate timescale for rollout.

The implementation plan is currently being drafted and will support equitable, sustainable and affordable access to this technology, which is targeted to optimise outcomes for those groups most likely to benefit.