"The NHS launched a world-first rollout of the artificial pancreas—officially known as a hybrid closed-loop system—to tens of thousands of people with type 1 diabetes in England. The device constantly tracks blood sugar and automatically delivers the right amount of insulin through a pump, removing the need for regular finger-prick tests and manual injections.

"How the System Works

• Glucose sensor: A small patch worn on the skin tracks your sugar levels all day and night.
• Smart algorithm: Software on a phone or inside the pump reads the data and figures out your exact insulin needs.
• Insulin pump: The device automatically gives you the correct dose into your bloodstream.

Main Benefits

• Better health results: HbA1c levels drop significantly, helping more patients reach safe target ranges.
• Fewer emergencies: It stops dangerous high and low blood sugar attacks that can cause seizures or coma.
• Less daily stress: Patients and parents get better sleep and do not have to wake up constantly to check blood sugar.

NHS runs world-first test into ‘sci-fi like’ artificial pancreases

"Almost 1,000 adults and children with type 1 diabetes have been given a potentially life-altering ‘artificial pancreas’ by the NHS in England as part of the first nationwide test into the effectiveness of this technology in the world. One century after the first diabetes patient was given insulin, around 35 NHS diabetes centres across the country are piloting the revolutionary hybrid closed loop system – also known as an ‘artificial pancreas’ – with 875 people benefiting for a year so far.

"The innovative ‘hybrid closed loop technology’, continually monitors blood glucose and automatically adjusts the amount of insulin given through a pump. It can eliminate finger prick tests and prevent life-threatening hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemia attacks, which can lead to seizures, coma or even death for people living with type 1 diabetes," the NHS says.

Professor Partha Kar, NHS national speciality advisor for diabetes, said: “Having machines monitor and deliver medication for diabetes patients sounds quite sci-fi like, but when you think of it, technology and machines are part and parcel of how we live our lives every day.

“A device picks up your glucose levels, sends the reading across to the delivery system – aka the pump – and then the system kicks in to assess how much insulin is needed.

“It is not very far away from the holy grail of a fully automated system, where people with type 1 diabetes can get on with their lives without worrying about glucose levels or medication," the NHS says.

"The ground-breaking device – pioneered by Cambridge-based Professor Roman Hovorka and called the CamAPS FX app - continually monitors a person’s blood glucose, then automatically adjusts the amount of insulin given to them through a pump.

It is the only device that has been fully developed in the UK and the only one suitable for women who are pregnant," the NHS / Cambridge University Hospitals says.

"It is very exciting that a device developed in Cambridge with the help of local experts and local people will now become accessible to patients all over the country.

It will enable them to spend less time having to focus on managing their condition and worrying about the blood sugar levels, and more time getting on with their lives," Professor Roman Hovorka says.

"An artificial pancreas developed with the help of staff and patients at Addenbrooke’s Hospital is one of four new devices to be rolled out by the NHS – helping tens of thousands of children and adults living with type one diabetes. The ground-breaking device – pioneered by Cambridge-based Professor Roman Hovorka and called the CamAPS FX app - continually monitors a person’s blood glucose, then automatically adjusts the amount of insulin given to them through a pump.

"Local NHS systems will now start identifying those who could benefit from the Hybrid Closed Loop system- sometimes called an artificial pancreas. There are currently 269,095 people living in England with type one diabetes. The technology will mean some with type one diabetes will no longer need to inject themselves with insulin but rely on technology to receive the life-saving medication," the NHS / Cambridge University Hospitals says.

"Type one diabetes is an easily missed diagnosis so if you are concerned about symptoms – the 4Ts – going to the Toilet, passing urine more frequently, with Thirst, feeling Tired and getting Thinner (losing weight), please come forward for support," Dr Clare Hambling says.

NICE recommends the devices should be rolled out to children and young people under 18 with type one diabetes, pregnant women with type one diabetes, and adults with type one diabetes who have an HbA1c of 58 mmol/mol (7.5%) or higher.

CamAPS^® FX

The advanced adaptive hybrid closed-loop app that automatically adjusts insulin delivery on your insulin pump based on your sensor glucose readings. The app has been extensively tested in clinical trials and approved for use including in the UK, the EU, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

CamAPS FX is compatible with Dexcom G6, Dexcom G7, FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus. Please click the links to view compatible smartphones and operating systems. CamAPS FX is compatible with YpsoPump, DANA Diabecare RS and DANA-i insulin pumps on Google Play. On the Apple App Store, it is currently compatible with YpsoPump only.