Where Can You Buy Insulin Pumps?
How to access Insulin Pumps?
Are you interested in accessing insulin pumps for yourself, upgrading your current pump or assessing whether one may fit your current care plan? Find out how London Diabetes can support you by clicking here.
Insulin pumps can help you control your diabetes and give you the freedom to eat and exercise without sticking to a rigid schedule. But, although pump technology is continuously improving and pump demand is increasing, it’s still not possible to pop into your local pharmacy and browse for the best pump for you. So, where can you buy insulin pumps in the UK?
Who can use insulin pumps?
Pumps can be used by adults, teens and children with type 1 diabetes and some people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. An insulin pump is particularly beneficial if you need to give multiple insulin injections every day and can’t control your blood glucose levels.
To use the pump safely and effectively, you need to understand how to count the carbohydrates in your diet. You also need to know how to calculate your insulin needs, give bolus doses through the pump, and adjust your insulin around food and exercise.
Starting to use a pump can be a steep learning curve, but with training and support, you should quickly become adept at attaching, programming and using the pump.
Where can you buy insulin pumps in the UK?
In the UK, the NHS provides most insulin pumps. However, the NHS has strict eligibility criteria for insulin pumps, and they may not provide the latest or most expensive devices. If you are not eligible for an NHS insulin pump or want a model not available on the NHS, you will need to buy an insulin pump privately.
Which insulin pumps are available on the NHS?
The NHS prescribes insulin pumps according to guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). They may recommend an insulin pump for people with frequent hypos or hypers without warning, or an HbA1c of 69mmol/mol or more, despite trying to manage your blood glucose levels actively.
Your consultant will want to check that you are suitable for pump use. They will want to ensure that you’re regularly injecting insulin, checking your blood glucose at least four times a day, and carb counting so that you can calculate your insulin needs.
If you cannot get an insulin pump through the NHS, don’t panic, you may be able to appeal, and you can buy a pump privately either online or through a specialist clinic.
Can you buy insulin pumps online?
You can buy insulin pumps online through the pump manufacturers’ consumer websites. Most provide a wealth of information and guidance about the pumps, and many allow you to try them before you buy so that you can check that the pump meets your needs. However, it’s essential to check that your NHS diabetes team are happy to support your pump use. Diabetes.co.uk says:
‘You should not expect your NHS clinic to necessarily have the resources to cover the care for a patient with a pump bought privately, in which case you will need to arrange diabetes care with a private diabetologist that is qualified to care for people with insulin pumps. It’s important to arrange how you will receive care before you go ahead and purchase an insulin pump.’
You can access pump information and purchase insulin pumps online at:
https://www.accu-chek.co.uk/insulin-pumps
https://shop.medtronic-diabetes.co.uk/
https://www.omnipod.com/
https://www.medtrum.co.uk/product/nanopump.html
https://www.mylife-diabetescare.com/en-GB/products/infusion-systems.html
https://advancedtherapeutics.org.uk/shop/dana-diabecare-insulin-pump/dana-rs-insulin-pump-2018/
Private diabetes clinics
A private clinic like The London Diabetes Centre provides expert assessment, guidance and access to a range of the most cutting edge insulin pumps, including devices from Medtronic, Omnipod, Tandem, Ypsomed, Accu-chek, Dana and Medtrum. The diabetes team can support you to find the pump that best suits your diabetes, lifestyle and budget.
A specialist diabetes team can also provide the education and training you need to use the pump safely and effectively. Everyone has different skills, understanding and dexterity; The London Diabetes Centre will individually tailor your training so that you have the knowledge and confidence to make the most of your pump and control your diabetes.
How much do insulin pumps cost?
If you don’t meet the NHS eligibility criteria or choose to buy a pump privately, you are likely to pay between £2000 and £3000. That’s a significant amount of money, and a pump should last from four to eight years, so it’s important to find the right pump for your needs.
It’s vital to remember that the initial outlay is not the only cost to consider. Pumps need lots of other consumable items that can add up to £1500, including:
- Infusion sets
- Replacement pods or cartridges for patch pumps
- Cannulas
- Adhesive or tape
The good news is, the extra costs don’t include your prescription insulin, which you are still entitled to free on the NHS.
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Sources:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin/Getting-an-insulin-pump.html
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin-pumps/buying-an-insulin-pump.html
https://londondiabetes.com/type-1/insulin-pumps/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/insulin-pumps/
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Carol Willis - Diabetes Clinic Facilitator
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