The NHS is set to roll out an artificial pancreas that was developed at Addenbrooke's Hospital to help the tens of thousands of people living with type one diabetes.

The device continually monitors a person's blood glucose and automatically adjusts the amount of insulin given to them through a pump.

The ground-breaking technology, called the CampAPS is the only device that has been fully developed in the UK, and is the only one suitable for pregnant women with type one diabetes.

It was developed at Addenbrooke's Hospital and was pioneered by Professor Roman Hovorka, who is based in Cambridge.

Professor Hovorka said: "It is very exciting that a device developed in Cambridge with the help of local experts and local people will now become accessible to patients all over the country.

"It will enable them to spend less time having to focus on managing their condition and worrying about the blood sugar levels, and more time getting on with their lives."

Local NHS systems will now start identifying people who could benefit from the artificial pancreas.

The technology will mean some with type one diabetes will no longer need to inject themselves with insulin but rely on technology to receive the life-saving medication.

This can also help prevent life-threatening hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemia attacks, which can lead to seizures, coma or even death.

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NHS England, which describes the roll-out as a world-first, says it has provided local health systems with £2.5 million so they are ready to start identifying patients that can benefit.

The mass rollout builds on a successful pilot of the technology by NHS England, which saw 835 adults and children with type one diabetes given devices to improve the management of their condition.

Each year, the NHS in England currently spends around £10 billion a year – around 10 per cent of its entire budget – on identifying and treating diabetes.