Experts of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) launched the first artificial pancreas nationwide test in the world. This advanced technology could potentially alter the lives of people who live with type 1 diabetes. To date, 875 adults and children have joined the pilot test, which will enroll a total of 1000 people.

The artificial pancreas works when a sensor is implanted under the skin that continuously monitors one’s blood sugar (glucose levels). Readings are then wirelessly sent to a pump, which calculates the amount of insulin required. Users can monitor the readings on a smartphone, which allows them to monitor the amount of carbohydrates eaten at meals.

This innovative technology completely puts an end to finger prick tests, and prevents life-threatening hypoglycemic attacks, which can lead to seizures, a coma, or even death for people living with type 1 diabetes.

There are approximately 400,000 people currently living with type 1 diabetes in the UK, and in total more than 4.9 million people in the UK have diabetes. According to a Public Health report, diabetes prevalence is higher in men than in women, 9.6% versus 7.6%. Among ethnic groups, prevalence is higher in South Asian and Black people than in white, mixed, or other ethnic groups, 15.2% versus 8.0%. 

So far the artificial pancreas, which uses a closed loop system, has been effective in changing the lives of people who have the condition. Ange Abbott is the mother of six-year-old Charlotte, who is a participant of the test. She told the BBC, “Prior to having the loop, everything was manual…At night we'd have to set the alarm every two hours to do finger pricks and corrections of insulin in order to deal with the ups and downs of Charlotte's blood sugars.”

Yasmin Hopkins, 27, another participant of the pilot, was diagnosed with diabetes 15 years ago. "I wake up now and I can do a normal day's work, or go on a dog walk without being concerned," she said to the BBC.

Chief executive of Diabetes UK, Chris Askew, said, "This technology has the potential to transform the lives of people with type 1 diabetes, improving both their quality of life and clinical outcomes."