Warrnambool-based diabetes educator Ann Morris said the new MiniMed 640G Smart Guard pump has amazing technology that will revolutionise diabetes management. 

Australia is the first country to launch the new pump and it will be unveiled in Warrnambool at an information session for patients in February.

“The pump has the capacity to predict when a person’s blood glucose is becoming low and stops the delivery of insulin to prevent them from going into hypoglycaemia,” Ms Morris said.

“This is taking insulin pump therapy to a completely new level.”

Diabetes is particularly prevalent in the Warrnambool region with 1544 people (5.2 per cent of the population)  registered on the National Diabetes Services Scheme.

Ms Morris said the new pump would benefit all people with type one diabetes, particularly those who have children with the condition who often worry about hypoglycaemia, especially at night.

“The Smart Guard technology interprets a drop in glucose that if it continues will make the person hypoglycaemic in 30 minutes,” Ms Morris said. 

“It stops the delivery of insulin and resumes it again when it detects that the glucose is rising. 

“It’s extraordinary. It actually thinks and will revolutionise insulin pump therapy for people with type one diabetes who often worry about glucose and hypoglycaemia.”

Ms Morris, from Amcon Diabetes Management Services and South West Insulin Pump Therapy Services, and her colleague Anita Singh are the only diabetes educators in the south-west to be trained in managing the new pumps.

A patient information session will be held from 6.30pm on February 18 at the Hotel Warrnambool function room. 

People wanting to attend the event can contact Kirsty Guilfoyle on 0478 878 965.

Ms Morris said she expected a lot of interest in the new device.