Mr. StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2003,Official Report, column 431W, on insulin pump therapy, what research he has undertaken into the medical advantages of the provision of insulin pump therapy for type I diabetics; [122921]
(2) pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2003, Official Report, column 431W, on insulin pump therapy, if he will make insulin pumps and infusion kits free of charge for diabetics who require them for medical reasons; [122922]
(3) pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2003, Official Report, column 431W, on insulin pump therapy, if he will list the health authorities which provide insulin pump therapy at no cost; [122923]
(4) if he will compile statistics on (a) the numbers of type I diabetics who require insulin pump therapy and (b) the costs of providing this service free of charge. [122924]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonGuidance on current best practice in clinical care is provided by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE issued its guidance, which takes account of all existing research, on insulin pump therapy in February 2003. Insulin pump therapy is recommended as one option for people with type 1 diabetes, provided that multiple dose insulin therapy, including insulin glargine, has failed and those receiving the treatment are willing and able to use the therapy effectively. Once NICE guidance is published, health professionals are expected to take it fully into account when exercising their clinical judgement. As national health service staff are trained, by February 2004, new users—where clinically indicated—will receive insulin pumps from the NHS.Information on those health authorities that currently provide insulin pump therapy at no cost is not collected centrally.