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Check whether you may meet the criteria
If you think you may be eligible for NHS diabetes technologies, start by checking the current access criteria for your area and condition. In the UK, access to devices such as continuous glucose monitors, flash glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and hybrid closed-loop systems can vary depending on NHS England guidance, local service arrangements, and your clinical circumstances.
Look at whether your diabetes is affecting your day-to-day management in a way that matches the eligibility rules. Common examples include frequent hypoglycaemia, impaired awareness of hypos, unstable glucose levels, or difficulty reaching your target HbA1c despite trying other treatment options.
Speak to your diabetes team
If you have not been referred, the first step is to raise the issue with your diabetes specialist nurse, consultant, GP, or practice nurse. Explain clearly why you think you meet the criteria and mention any problems you are having with control, hypoglycaemia, or treatment burden.
It can help to ask directly whether a referral can be made to the relevant diabetes technology service. If you already have a specialist appointment coming up, make a note of your questions in advance so you do not forget to ask.
Bring evidence of your need
Useful evidence can include glucose readings, HbA1c results, records of hypos, and notes about how often you need help or how your diabetes affects work, driving, or sleep. If you use a blood glucose meter or app, bring screenshots or printed summaries if you can.
Try to be specific about what you are experiencing and how often it happens. Clinicians are more likely to consider a referral when they can see a clear pattern and understand the impact on your health and safety.
Ask for an explanation if you are turned down
If your clinician says you are not being referred, ask them to explain why in relation to the current criteria. Sometimes the issue is that your records are incomplete, you have not yet tried another treatment step, or the service is following a local pathway you were not aware of.
You can also ask what would need to change for you to become eligible in future. This may help you set clear goals and avoid missing an opportunity later.
Use patient support and complaint routes if needed
If you still feel the decision is not right, you can ask for a second opinion or speak to the practice manager, diabetes service manager, or Patient Advice and Liaison Service, often known as PALS. They may help clarify the pathway or support you in getting the right review.
You can also contact diabetes charities and NHS information services for guidance on local access routes. If you are facing repeated hypos, high risk, or significant distress, seek clinical help promptly rather than waiting for a referral to be sorted out.
Frequently Asked Questions
It refers to the rules and decision points NHS services use to decide whether someone can access diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitors, flash glucose monitors, insulin pumps, or hybrid closed-loop systems without being referred from another service.
Eligibility depends on the specific technology, local NHS policy, clinical need, diabetes type, age, treatment regimen, and whether you meet the national or local criteria used by your diabetes team or integrated care board.
A clinician usually reviews your diabetes history, glucose control, treatment needs, risk of hypoglycaemia, ability to use the device safely, and whether the device is likely to improve outcomes before deciding if you meet the criteria.
In some areas and for some devices, direct access may be possible through an existing diabetes team, but many services still require assessment by a specialist clinician rather than a self-referral.
Criteria commonly include insulin treatment, need for frequent glucose monitoring, problematic hypoglycaemia, impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia, pregnancy with diabetes, or other clinical reasons showing that continuous monitoring would help.
Flash glucose monitoring is often considered for people using insulin or for those with specific clinical needs such as recurrent hypoglycaemia, difficulty with finger-prick testing, or situations where better glucose trend information is required.
Insulin pump eligibility generally involves type 1 diabetes or another insulin-dependent condition, difficulty achieving control with injections, recurrent severe hypoglycaemia, high glucose variability, or other specialist-led indications.
Hybrid closed-loop eligibility usually requires a need for intensive insulin management, willingness to use the technology consistently, ability to attend training, and clinical judgement that the system would improve control and safety.
Yes, criteria often differ by age. Children and young people may qualify under different pathways, and pregnancy, growth, school support, and family training can all affect eligibility decisions.
Yes, it often does. Type 1 diabetes usually has broader access to advanced technologies, while some people with type 2 diabetes or other diabetes types may qualify only if they meet specific clinical criteria.
Yes, pregnancy can significantly affect eligibility. People with diabetes in pregnancy may be prioritised for technologies that help achieve tighter glucose control and reduce risks to both parent and baby.
Sometimes yes, if there is another strong reason such as recurrent hypoglycaemia, impaired awareness, high glucose variability, or a need for better quality of life and safer day-to-day management.
Useful evidence can include glucose logs, HbA1c results, reports of hypos or hospital admissions, current treatment details, device trial results, and notes showing why the technology is clinically needed.
If the criteria are not met, the clinician may suggest alternative treatment options, education, lifestyle support, medication adjustments, or reassessment later if your clinical situation changes.
Yes, you can usually ask for a review or second opinion if you believe the decision was made in error or if new information shows you may meet the criteria.
Yes, local commissioning arrangements can affect access, so criteria may vary slightly between areas even when national guidance is similar.
Often yes. Many technologies require training, safe use understanding, and follow-up appointments to make sure the device is used effectively and appropriately.
Yes, recurrent severe hypoglycaemia or impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia is a common reason clinicians consider eligibility for continuous glucose monitoring, pumps, or closed-loop systems.
Review frequency varies, but eligibility and ongoing benefit are usually reassessed during follow-up appointments to confirm the technology remains appropriate and effective.
Help is usually available from your diabetes specialist team, diabetes nurse, consultant endocrinologist, GP, or local NHS service, who can explain the criteria and advise on next steps.
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