"Waiting on an Insulin Pump"

So, I have been on the waiting list for an insulin pump for nearly 2 years now. After my assessment I was offered a pump and chose the pump I’d like to have and then was told I’d have to wait for roughly 12 months. Not a problem at the time. I knew I may have to wait a while.

So 12 months came and went and never heard a thing, my dawn phenomenon seemed to get worse and I was told that the only way it would be fixed was with an insulin pump.

Finally in the September of 2023 I got a call to go for another assessment review…..at this I was told I may have to wait for another year for my pump due to all services now going through a regional hub at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. They were doing upgrades and referrals for new pumps would be next. A hi old be the start of December and no later than by December 2023.

It is now almost the end of January 2024 and I still have no word from the Insulin pump clinic. I am insulin resistant and had to go on to metformin as well as my insulin to try and reduce my insulin intake to make it easier on the pump when I receive it. I also don’t have hypo awareness and rely on my dexcom alarms to make sure I don’t have any bad hypos.

Why on earth in this day and age would anyone have to wait this amount of time (almost 2 years) for a peice of medical equipment that is so so needed? I have toyed with the idea of buying it myself, but the cost is just enormous. I’m at the end of my tether now. How much longer do I have to wait to finally get the level of normality my life needs and deserves? Can anyone give me answers please?