The Provincial Government and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NL Health Services) are beginning a one-year pilot project to determine the feasibility of a provincial continuous glucose monitoring program.
The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, made the announcement today during the latest Health Care Action update. Minister Osborne was joined by Dr. Heather Power, Pediatric Endocrinologist, Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, NL Health Services.
Eligible pediatric patients will use continuous glucose monitors that provide blood sugar measurement every few minutes via a small senor inserted under the skin. The sensor sends information to an attached transmitter and other technology, such as a smart phone. The devices allow the patient, caregiver, or health care provider to monitor blood sugars more frequently and easily than current monitoring devices—such as needle pricking—and can send alerts about high or low blood sugar to prevent hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic events.
Patients eligible for the pilot project include those:
- With type 1 diabetes;
- Who are under the age of 18 and/or followed by the Pediatric Diabetes Program at the Janeway Hospital;
- For whom continuous glucose monitoring is deemed medically necessary by the Pediatric Diabetes Team or those who are using an insulin pump with hybrid closed loop software capability that can adjust insulin by using real time sensor readings; and
- Who have a valid Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP) number.
To participate, email NLCGMP@easternhealth.ca and request an application package.
The department will monitor the success of the program to determine opportunities for expansion.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that leads to elevated blood sugars due to an absence or deficiency of insulin. Approximately 3,500 people in Newfoundland and Labrador have been diagnosed with the disease.
The pilot project is part of the Provincial Government’s overall plan to increase access to health care. Other plans include:
- Expanding the number of family care teams in the province, which has increased the number of people with access to primary care from more than 28,000 people in March 2023 to more than 49,000 as of September 2023;
- Expanding the health authority’s travelling orthopaedics team, which has the capacity to increase orthopaedic surgeries annually by 290, representing an increase of 17 per cent.
More details on the Provincial Government’s recent health care actions are available by visiting healthcareaction.ca. Details on recruitment of health care professionals are available by visiting workinhealthNL.ca.
Quotes
“This is an exciting next step for improving outcomes for people living with type 1 diabetes in Newfoundland and Labrador. These continuous glucose monitoring devices are a modern and reassuring way for patients, caregivers, and health care providers to monitor blood sugar levels. We look forward to the results of the pilot project and to potentially increasing the use of the monitors in the future.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
“This project is an important step in advancing diabetes care in our province and reflects the recommendations of the Health Accord to support preventative care for patients with diabetes. These devices are incredibly important for improving the health of pediatric patients with diabetes, as well as enhancing the quality of life for both them and their families. I am delighted with the announcement of this pilot project and am hopeful for expanded coverage in the future.”
Dr. Heather Power
Pediatric Endocrinologist, Janeway Children’s Health & Rehabilitation Centre, NL Health Services
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