Scrutiny Report Template
Scrutiny Report Template
Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Subject: Access to Diabetes Technology in Brighton & Hove
Date of meeting: 20 November 2024
Report of: Chair of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Contact Officer: Name: Giles Rossington, Policy, Partnerships & Scrutiny Team Manager
Email: giles.rossington@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: (All Wards);
Key Decision: No
1.1 Diabetes UK is a national charity which campaigns for improvement in the care and treatment of people with diabetes. Diabetes UK has recently contacted Sussex Health Overview & Scrutiny Committees (HOSCs), to ask them to consider the topic of access to diabetes technology across Sussex.
1.2 In response, the HOSC Chair has requested a paper on access to diabetes technology in Brighton & Hove from NHS commissioners (Sussex Integrated Care Board: ICB). Diabetes UK have also been invited to the HOSC to present on their concerns.
1.3 Appendix 1 contains information provided by the ICB. Appendix 2 contains slides provided by Diabetes UK.
2.1 Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee notes the information provided by Diabetes UK and by the Sussex Integrated Care Board; and
2.2 Determines whether the committee requires further information on this issue.
3.1 Diabetes is a long-term condition occurring when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. The most common types of diabetes are:
Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterised by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. It is an autoimmune condition though neither its cause nor the means to prevent it are fully understood. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. Management of type 1 diabetes is delivered by specialist diabetes services.
Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects how your body uses sugar (glucose) for energy. It stops the body from using insulin properly, which can lead to high levels of blood sugar if not treated. Type 2 diabetes can be preventable. Factors that contribute to developing type 2 diabetes include genetics, being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and older age. This is the most common form of diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes are predominately cared for by primary care, with specialist services managing the most complex patients.
3.2 Diabetes effects many people, significantly impacting their health and quality of life. Diabetes care is also very expensive, costing the NHS around £10 billion per year (around 6% of the entire NHS budget), with more than half of this sum spent on treating preventable complications. Supporting people to effectively manage their diabetes, specifically in terms of maintaining a healthy blood sugar level, is key to improving people’s lives and managing cost.
3.3 In recent years new technologies have emerged which have the potential to make it much easier to support people with diabetes to maintain their blood sugar levels within a safe range. Diabetes UK have raised concerns about whether access to these technologies for people with diabetes in Sussex is in alignment with NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidance. Both Diabetes UK and Sussex NHS commissioners have been invited to submit information to the HOSC on access to diabetes technology for Brighton & Hove residents, and to present to the committee. Information provided by the Sussex Integrated Care Board is attached as Appendix 1 to this report, and information provided by Dementia UK is attached as Appendix 2.
4.1 Not applicable to this report for information.
5.1 None for this information report.
6.1 This report indicates no financial implications to BHCC
Name of finance officer consulted: Jamiu Ibraheem Date consulted (13/11/24)
7.1 The Council’s Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee has delegated to it the statutory responsibility of reviewing and scrutinizing matters relating to the planning, provision and operation of health services in Brighton & Hove. As a result, it may properly consider the information made available to it in this topic, as suggested by the recommendations to this Report.
Name of lawyer consulted: Victoria Simpson Date consulted 11/11/2024
8.1 Diabetes is more prevalent in some communities than others, including in non-white populations, people experiencing deprivation, people with severe mental illness and people with learning disabilities. This is explored in more depth in Appendix 1: ICB submission.
9.1 None identified.
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 This is covered in Appendix 1: ICB submission.
13.1 Members are asked to note the information provided by both the Sussex Integrated Care Board and Diabetes UK.
Supporting Documentation
1. Information on access to diabetes technology in Brighton & Hove provided by ICB
2. Information provided by Diabetes UK