Helensburgh reporter shares how diabetes tech change his life

New statistics show the proportions of Type 1, or insulin dependent, diabetics currently getting access to insulin pumps and glucose monitors.

And there have been concerns raised that fewer diabetics in the area are seeing the benefits of potentially live-saving technology than other parts of Scotland.

So how does it work? A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is usually in your arm and takes a reading of your blood sugar every five minutes.

That's then sent to the insulin pump that uses an algorithm to calculate what insulin you need to get your sugars as close to 6.1 as possible. (A non-diabetic is normally between 4 and 7.)

Whereas before I would hold my phone to my arm to read my levels, then take insulin in 1-unit increments to adjust or based on the carbohydrates in my food, now the pump calculates up to three decimal points of precision.

I started in May after two years on the waiting list. There are times when it is frustrating, and times when you have to adjust yourself to being plugged into two devices at all times.

But I can't deny the results. HbA1C is a measure of your blood sugars over three months as opposed to the moment-to-moment variations of any person's levels, whether you're diabetic or not.

After three months, my HbA1c dropped from 56 to 48, possibly my lowest level in 25 years.

Long term, that's the sort of numbers diabetics need - it reduces our risks of serious complications from diabetes, whether losing eyesight, limbs or countless other impacts.

And that's also why the NHS is waking up to the benefits: the cost of equipment now will save might higher costs of care and treatment later.

The combo of a pump and CGM creates what's called a closed-loop system. That is as close to having a function pancreas as you can get.

It may not be for everyone, but it should be considered for any Type 1 diabetic. And I'm grateful to the NHS paying for it.