Diabetic pump

Can a diabetic pump be treated as an aid under managing therapy or monitoring a health condition

An aid or appliance needs to improve, provide or replace an impaired physical or mental function - so I think if you can argue that its improving the impaired physical function of the pancreas to release insulin then I think you can argue that it’s an aid.

Diabetes UK call it ‘insulin pump therapy’ which is a good start…

The key thing then is what supervision, prompting or assistance is needed and for how long…

Thank you.  The lady has memory problems she says due to diabetes and husbanf=d constantly prompts her to take insulin as she keeps forgetting

CPIP/2916/2016 might be worth a look too (along with the rightsnet summary) - although facts related to use of a nebuliser, Judge Jacobs also looks at general principles and considers diabetes (paras 18/19) and how non-syringe devices could be an aid if claimant can’t use a syringe.

Anne Higgins - 10 May 2017 10:47 AM

Thank you.  The lady has memory problems she says due to diabetes and husbanf=d constantly prompts her to take insulin as she keeps forgetting

confess i thought the point of the pump was that it obviates the need to remember ... assuming it’s working of course…

So did I but the insulin has to be adjusted according to blood sugar

In actual fact if you check website above it can mean more monitoring -

- You need to test your blood sugar levels more often – the insulin is short-acting, which means you constantly need to be aware of your insulin needs.
- You need to have the pump constantly attached, with only short breaks for a shower or exercise.
- Risk of infection from the cannula.
- The infusion line can become blocked, which means changing it more often.
- A lot of time is needed to learn about the pump and your diabetes, especially in the beginning.

under the same premise - does a catheter count?
my client’s needs to be changed 2/3 times a week - which he can do himself but I only the one point to get him back onto standard rate.

zoeycorker - 05 June 2017 09:14 AM

does a catheter count?

I hope so; I’ll be running that very argument in the months to come. It certainly would improve an impaired physical function so I can’t see why not.

I’ll let you know how I get on with it then - my hearing is on the 20th June. 😊