Hospital is using pioneering hi-tech pump to save lives

Jun 18 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

Hospital is using pioneering hi-tech pump to save lives

PIONEERING technology is being used by a Liverpool hospital to improve the lives of hundreds of diabetic patients.

Staff at the Royal Liverpool are now sharing their expertise with other Trusts, so more patients can benefit from the insulin pump they are giving to diabetes sufferers.

Led by consultant diabetologist Dr Phil Weston and specialist nurse Gill Morrison, the team has developed insulin pump therapy over the last five years, working with patients who previously needed frequent stays in hospital.

It is the only hospital in the area offering the technology and is leading the way nationwide, with other hospitals which offer a more limited service. The technology is life-saving and monitors a patient’s blood sugar, eliminating the need to self inject insulin.

Dr Weston said: “The device can be tailored to each individual and this is its strength. Patients before the pump would have to inject themselves four times daily. The pump monitors when blood sugar levels are too low and when they are too high and delivers insulin to correct this.

“We started to use the pumps in 2000 and we now have 250 patients on them. This is the largest num-ber in the UK and people from all over the area come to be treated.”

The device has to be worn 24 hours a day but allows suffers to have a more flexible lifestyle. Grandfather of two, Joe Foster, 60, says the pump has changed his life, and added: “I have had it for 18 months and it has gone bril-liantly.

“It gives you so much more freedom, I do not have to stick to such a stringent regime anymore when it comes to what and when I eat. My family worry a lot less about me too.”

Mr Foster, who lives in Hunts Cross with his wife, Joan, has had type 1 diabetes for 45 years and has gone through many types of treatment.

“There are not any bad sides to the pump for me, I am sure it will not suit everybody but for many people with my condition it will be life-changing. I would definitely recommend it.”

Ms Morrison added: “We also offer professional training on how to administer the pump and hopefully this will help to in-crease the amount of people it is on offer to.

“It is just fantastic working with patients who before hand would not have been able to keep their blood sugar stable. We change their lives.”

lizawilliams