Co Down medic’s life transformed after receiving ‘artificial pancreas’

During her time at medical school in Dundee she had to inject herself with insulin five times a day, making her daily routine a difficult one.

She is now one of 875 patients benefiting from the revolutionary new technology of a hybrid close loop (HCL) system.

When someone has Type 1 diabetes, it means their pancreas can’t release insulin the way it should.

The HCL works by allowing a fitted insulin pump to ‘talk’ to a small sensor on the patient’s body known as a continuous glucose monitor.

This measures the blood glucose levels and releases the correct amount of insulin automatically.

Patients are then free from the inconvenience of finger prick tests, and it makes blood sugar levels more stable, helping to prevent life-threatening ‘hypos’ (hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemia attacks), which can cause seizures, coma or even death.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Hollie said the physical and mental health benefits have been life-changing.

“Growing up, every minute of the day my brain had to focus on two things — whatever I was doing and my diabetes,” she explained.

Hollie’s crucial profession meant she could be working in theatre for 12 hours and unable to stop to control her blood sugar levels.

In the long-term that could have led to kidney and eyesight problems.

She said she jumped at the chance to join the pilot scheme after wishing for years the technology would improve.

“Whenever I heard of it I was very excited,” she said.

“I’d been struggling along as a surgical trainee, but this has just made me thrive.

“I can’t explain it; I can just focus on my work and don’t have to think about any changes to my blood sugars, because the algorithm in the pump is really stable.”

As for the mental health benefits, she added: “I’ve seen a big difference, as have my family and friends.

“That baseline worry every diabetic knows is still there to a degree, in case the pump or technology fails.

“But it is so mitigated compared to what it was.

“I’ve also managed to lose a significant amount of weight as well just because I’m not worried about having to eat all the time.”

Hollie’s older brother also has Type 1 diabetes, which has been a constant source of concern over the years for their parents.

“They have peace of mind now,” she said.

“We’re both well into our 20s and 30s, but they still worry about every move we make.

“Every time I go out for a meal or to work they worry if I’ll make it home safe.

“I think they have that assurance now that I’ve got something that’s keeping my sugars stable, and it takes that worry away for them.”

The pilot scheme ends in November, and Hollie says she is confident the data will lead to it being rolled out more widely across the NHS.

“I’m extremely hopeful,” she added.

“I think it would be very demanding and tricky to go back to life without this closed loop system.”

On choosing surgery as a career, she explained that living with diabetes inspired her to make a difference.

“I think growing up as a child with a health problem, you understand what it’s like to be a patient,” she said.

“Patients undergoing surgery need clinicians who really understand and care about the anxieties they might have.

“I think I wanted to be that person who could do life-saving surgery for people and go through that journey with them.”