NHS England Criteria for access to continuous glucose monitoring

Web Resource Last Updated: 08-12-2022

Criteria for access to continuous glucose monitoring:

NICE Guidelines (Updated March 2022)

Type 1 diabetes

  • All adults with Type 1 diabetes should be offered real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) or intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM, commonly referred to as 'flash')

  • All children with Type 1 diabetes should be offered real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM). If unable to use rtCGM or a clear preference is expressed for isCGM, they should be offered intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (commonly referred to as 'flash').

Type 2 diabetes

  • Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM, commonly referred to as 'flash') can be offered to adults with type 2 diabetes on multiple daily insulin injections if any of the following apply:

    • recurrent hypoglycaemia or severe hypoglycaemia
    • impaired hypoglycaemia awareness
    • a condition or disability (including a learning disability or cognitive impairment) that means they cannot self-monitor their blood glucose by capillary blood glucose monitoring (finger prick testing) but could use an isCGM device (or have it scanned for them)
    • would otherwise need help from a care worker or healthcare professional to monitor their blood glucose
    • self-monitoring blood glucose at least 8 times a day.

During Pregnancy

  • Type 1 Diabetes and pregnant – real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) should be offered. Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM, commonly referred to as 'flash') should be offered if unable to use rtCGM or a clear preference is expressed for isCGM.
  • Type 2 Diabetes on insulin and pregnant - real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) will be considered if:

    • problematic severe hypoglycaemia (with or without impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia)
    • unstable blood glucose levels despite efforts to control glucose levels

Somerset patients:

GlucoRx Aidex, Dexcom one, Freestyle Libre 2 and Glucomen Day are available in Somerset for all people with diabetes who fit the NICE criteria.

Dorset patients:

The hospital will need to provide the first sensor and the reader. This can be discussed with the Consultant at your next appointment. Once this has been commenced the ongoing prescription will be provided by your GP.

In line with the NHS England criteria the continuing prescription for long-term use will be dependent upon evidence that ongoing use is “demonstrably improving on individual’s diabetes self-management”, and this will be reviewed and discussed within the Consultant clinic.

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