UK first for diabetes patients in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Diabetes patients in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) are set to be the first in the UK to benefit from a new digital platform which can transform the way they manage their condition.

During Diabetes Awareness Week, the Health Board is proud to announce the UK’s first pilot of Cloudcare®, a cutting-edge digital health platform which can improve the quality of care for those living with diabetes.

The pilot, launching at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, will bring advanced population health management to NHS Wales services with the aim to enhance care and improve outcomes and experience.

Cloudcare® is already being used in other parts of Europe, and a study has proven benefits for both patients and clinicians. The platform brings together the data from different types of glucose monitors and pumps used by patients, allowing clinical teams to monitor patient progress routinely and remotely and intervene early when needed.

This helps patients with diabetes to stay healthier and more in control of their condition – wherever they are.

Dom Hurford, Executive Medical Director, at CTM said: “It is only by using technology such as this that we can really make an impact on improving the lives of our population – both those with and preventing others from developing diabetes. Being able to find digital solutions for collating and evaluating outcomes of our patients means we can focus the care where it will have the biggest impact. We are very excited to be piloting this in our areas to benefit our population.”

This move reflects CTM UHB’s ongoing commitment to innovation and value-based healthcare – ensuring the patient receives the right care, at the right time, in the right way.

Phil Evans, Consultant Diabetologist said: “The challenge for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is how to utilise limited healthcare professional resources to improve the quality and efficiency of diabetes services, whilst ensuring equitable access to all, irrespective of an individual’s location or socio-economic status. Life changing technology, such as CloudCare®, lies at the heart of transformative, patient centred, Type 1 diabetes care, and we are delighted that our senior executive board have supported this innovative development. CloudCare® will improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of current services, reduce burden for people living with Type 1 diabetes and lead to a better quality of life.”

The pilot project is expected to address the current issues faced waiting and in-between appointments, while maintaining and even improving blood sugar control for people living with Type 1 diabetes. This means more personalised care, accurate knowledge of patients and effective treatment and care when it is needed.

Philip Daniels Executive Director Public Health at CTM said: “By enabling people to manage their own diabetes more effectively, we are preventing costly complications, as well as empowering people living with diabetes to enjoy healthier, happier lives.  Investment in such technologies, in conjunction with work to implement a range of preventative interventions for diabetes (both type 1 and 2) signal CTM UHB’s commitment to supporting our patients and working with partners to build healthier communities.”

The pilot is a joint project with CTM UHB and Medtronic, Dr Matt Williams-Gray, Senior Director Enterprise Accounts & Integrated Hospital Solutions and Country Lead, Medtronic Limited UKI: “The implementation of the Medtronic Diabeter CloudCare® patient management system in NHS Wales marks a significant milestone in our commitment to partner with service providers to transform healthcare delivery. This collaboration with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board showcases our dedication to leveraging innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare processes. We are proud to be part of this ground-breaking initiative that sets a new standard for diabetes management in Wales.”

Charity Kufas, Vice President, Care Model Innovation, NOK & Diabeter: “The Medtronic Diabeter CloudCare® platform represents a transformative approach to diabetes management, and its integration into NHS Wales is a testament to our shared vision of enhancing patient care through technology. By providing real-time data and advanced triage support, we aim to empower healthcare providers to deliver timely and effective interventions, ultimately reducing avoidable admissions and improving the quality of life for diabetes patients. This project is a significant step towards a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare system.”

The joint project will carefully evaluate the results of the pilot over the next year, working closely with patients, families and staff for their experiences and impact of using the system.