Digital diabetes service developed in Dundee helping patients and saving NHS money

A digital health service developed in Scotland is helping people better manage diabetes while also saving the NHS money.

The My Diabetes, My Way technology allows people to directly access their health records, helping them to monitor and manage the condition more effectively.

With more people being diagnosed with diabetes and the cost of treatment continuing to rise, the service is being credited with reducing pressure on the health service.

Lindsey Hoggan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just 18 months old. She injects insulin five times a day and says managing the condition was particularly challenging as she grew up.

The mum of two told STV News: “In the teenage years, I sort of didn’t care about my diabetes because I wanted to be like everyone else.

“I would have my appointment, 15 minutes with my consultant and then forget about it until the next appointment came around.”

Lindsey began using the My Diabetes, My Way app 18 months ago and says it has transformed how she manages her condition.

She said: “Day-to-day, it makes you more accountable because you can see your targets on the app. There’s not the stress of chasing up your clinic for explanations or results.”

There are around 370,000 people living with diabetes in Scotland, with more than 100,000 using the technology to help monitor and manage their condition.

The service was developed in Dundee 15 years ago. Its creators say that for every £1 spent on the platform, the NHS saves £5 due to reduced treatment and medication needs for complications such as heart, kidney, eye and foot disease.

Dr Scott Cunningham from Dundee University said: “We’ve seen people who use the application have improvements in their weight, their body mass index, cholesterol, blood pressure and so on.

“The main marker for diabetes is HbA1c, that’s the long term blood glucose marker and people can see and monitor changes in that over the course of time.”

The service is now being adapted for use in England and other countries.

While researchers at Dundee University hope to develop similar technology to support people with other long-term conditions, including cardiovascular disease, Lindsey is studying biomedical science at the university.

She hopes it will lead to a career in diabetes research, helping others like her to live full and healthy lives.