Many people with diabetes living in England, Wales, or Scotland are entitled to CGM through the NHS to manage their condition. The NHS England eligibility criteria are as follows:
- People with type 1 diabetes are now eligible for either real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) or intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), based on their individual preferences, needs, and device capabilities.
Other eligibility groups
Real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) is offered to all children and young people with type 1 diabetes, alongside education to support them and their families and carers in using it.
Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM, commonly referred to as ‘flash’) is offered to children and young people with type 1 diabetes aged 4 years and over who are unable to use rtCGM or who express a clear preference for isCGM.
- Recurrent hypoglycaemia: frequent events of hypoglycaemia that occur each week or month and have an impact on quality of life.
- Severe hypoglycaemia: episodes of hypoglycaemia that require assistance from another person to treat.
- Reduced hypoglycaemia awareness.
- A condition or disability (including a learning disability or cognitive impairment) that prevents them from self-monitoring their blood glucose using capillary blood glucose monitoring but allows them to use a CGM device (or have it used for them).
- Advised to monitor blood glucose at least 8 times a day.
The guideline committee has also recommended that the technology be offered to children and young people with type 2 diabetes, if they:
- have a need, condition or disability (including a mental health need, learning disability or cognitive impairment) that means they cannot monitor their blood glucose by finger-prick testing
- would otherwise be advised to self-measure at least 8 times a day
- have recurrent or severe low blood glucose levels
- have impaired blood glucose awareness.
The eligibility criteria were broadened in 2022, and it will take some time for this to filter through to all geographical areas. It is also worth noting that diabetes healthcare teams may have local policies they must follow. These would be in line with the national guidelines as a minimum. Those eligible should speak to their diabetes team to access real-time or flash monitors on prescription.
Those who are not eligible often choose to fund it themselves.
Delete “The eligibility criteria were broadened in 2022, and it will take some time for this to filter through to all geographical areas. “