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Merton

Response to FOI (original text)

Your plans for meeting the NHS England Libre policy

In July 2018, FreeStyle Libre was approved for use in NHS Merton CCG. In developing this policy, the Regional Medicines Optimisation Committee (RMOC) - North statement was considered by NHS England London diabetes clinical networks (Clinical Leadership Group and Type 1 Diabetes Network). Additional advice was sought from members of the South East Coast and London and Young Peoples Diabetes Network for paediatric patients. These groups had representation from a variety of clinicians,commissioners and patient representatives.

On the 7th March 2019, NHS England published revised criteria for ‘Flash Glucose Monitoring: National Arrangement for Funding of Relevant Diabetes Patients’ publication’. NHS Merton CCG recognises that Flash Glucose Monitoring is a novel and innovative device and will now consider the recommendations in this document for the benefit of the patient group as specified.

How the Libre prescribing process will be handled? Will it be Red, Amber or Green listed?

NHS Merton CCG will seek guidance from NHS England London Diabetes Clinical Networks and NHSLondon Procurement Partnership (LPP) to ensure the new policy and implementation is adopted in a consistent manner to other CCGs in London. This will ensure equity of access for patients in NHS Merton CCG. The process of approval for this new policy will include involvement of local clinicians to facilitate implementation. In addition, we will follow our usual governance routes for getting policies approved by our local decision-making committees.

NHS Merton CCG does not operate a traffic light classification for medical devices or drugs. Once the policy is approved, clinicians will be able to prescribe the device in line with the approved policy.

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