Endocrine Abstracts

The NPDA and NICE Hybrid Closed Loop (HCL) Technology Appraisal (TA) show improved health outcomes and quality of life with the use of diabetes technologies, however, the NPDA also shows persistent inequalities in access by those living in deprivation and from ethnic minority groups, this is reflected in the CORE20PLUS5 for CYP. High levels of deprivation in the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) are a barrier to accessing diabetes technology due to the high specification of mobile devices needed to enable the full functionality of this life-changing technology. Simultaneously, hospital Trusts should engage in activities to responsibly dispose of IT equipment. This project brings these two seemingly unconnected challenges together and provides an innovative solution. The project aimed to reduce inequality in accessing diabetes technology for CYP who live in deprivation whilst providing a sustainable solution to the disposal of unneeded devices within the NHS. A collaborative approach was taken; Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHFT) set up processes to refurbish their unneeded Trust devices, and the CYP NENC Diabetes Network worked with voluntary sector partners and diabetes teams to develop process pathways to deliver refurbished phones, laptops and charity sims to families to give them access to diabetes technologies, including HCL devices to meet the NICE HCL TA. Over 12 months from March 2023 to March 2024 - the project received 310 referrals which reflected 31% CYP with diabetes in NENC. - 297 devices donated by GHFT were given to families (232 phones with sim cards donated by Vodafone and 66 laptops). - 60% of referrals were for families living in IMD deciles 1-3, 25% of referrals were for families in IMD decile 1. This project facilitated equitable access to life-changing technology for CYP living with diabetes in NENC. Using the poverty proofing approach of no means testing and no barriers to access, we demonstrated that most referrals came from deprived families whilst also supporting a more sustainable and climate friendly approach to meeting digital healthcare needs. This project can be translated into all healthcare settings and is now an embedded, ongoing service provided by paediatric diabetes healthcare teams across NENC.