From 1st April 2019, Abbott’s flash glucose monitoring (the FreeStyle Libre sensor) should be available on prescription across the UK to everyone who meets the NHS criteria, no matter where you live.
This is a huge step forward for people with Type 1 diabetes and means thousands more people will soon have access to this life-changing technology. This wouldn’t have happened without thousands of people across the diabetes community campaigning to end the Flash postcode lottery over the last 18 months.
This is a really exciting development but to qualify for Flash you will still need to meet the criteria in your area. Unfortunately, this still won’t mean everyone who could benefit from Flash will be able to access it. Diabetes UK has stated that it will continue to work with the NHS to broaden the criteria and fight for everyone who can benefit from Flash to be able to access it on prescription
The criteria to qualify for Flash still differ across the UK. Northern Ireland, England and Wales have national criteria that need to be met to qualify it. In Scotland, it will depend on the health board area you live in. Diabetes UK has created four documents which set out exactly what criteria you need to meet in your area.
Click here to find out more about Flash and how you can access it.
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