A REVOLUTIONARY and ‘life-changing’ new treatment has been used on a diabetes patient in Bournemouth.

The Royal Bournemouth Hospital has become one of the first facilities in Europe to offer the new state-of-the-art insulin pump, called a Medtronic 640G, which uses sensors to warn of impending low blood sugar levels.

Steve Ingham, who has suffered with diabetes for 50 years, is being treated with the trust’s innovative device and has seen significant improvements to his health since.

The 74-year-old gradually lost the ability to recognise the signs of a hypoglycaemic episode over the years and began using a basic sensor in 2008.

However, the new pump does not only have the power to calculate insulin accurately, but can also be programmed to issue audio alerts and reminders.

And it features groundbreaking technology to mimic the way a healthy pancreas delivers insulin to the body, giving the patient greater control over their condition . It can also make the decision to switch off the insulin supply when it detects the blood sugar is falling too fast, which can save lives.

Mr Ingham said: “Before I began using the new device, my wife and I were sometimes asked to leave restaurants because people mistook my hypo symptoms for drunkenness.

“My life has completely changed thanks to the device. Its warning signals have prevented me having to be rushed into hospital, I can drive a car, take regular exercise and most importantly lead a normal life knowing I have control over my condition.”

Emma Jenkins, diabetes specialist dietician and insulin pump trainer at RBH, said: “It is great that we can offer patients this technology, which not only reduces their risk of ill health but the burden and fear of their condition.

“Our team has been nationally recognised for the development and innovation of insulin pump therapy for more than 15 years. We aspire to continue to develop our services and work to a high quality standard.”