NHS rollout of artificial pancreas narrows inequality in diabetes care

Exclusive: People from deprived and minority ethnic backgrounds have better access to device than for previous technologies

The rollout of a “life-changing” artificial pancreas on the NHS for people with type 1 diabetes has helped to narrow ethnic and socioeconomic inequality within access to treatment, according to figures.

Officially known as a hybrid closed-loop system, an artificial pancreas comprises three interconnected parts: a sensor worn on the body called a continuous glucose monitor; an algorithm either built into the pump or on a separate device such as a phone that calculates the precise dose of insulin needed; and an insulin pump that delivers the dose into the bloodstream.