NICE has issued draft guidance recommending that women with type 1 diabetes who are pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, should be offered a pregnancy-specific “artificial pancreas” device on the NHS. The recommendation, published on 3 June 2026, is aimed at improving blood sugar control during a period when careful management is especially important for both mother and baby. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles?utm_source=openai))
The device, described by NICE as a pregnancy-specific artificial pancreas, is designed to help automate insulin delivery and reduce the burden of day-to-day monitoring. In its announcement, NICE said the guidance is intended for women with type 1 diabetes who are pregnant or preparing for pregnancy, placing the technology within routine NHS care if the final recommendation is adopted. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles?utm_source=openai))
How the guidance fits into wider NHS access decisions
The new advice comes as NICE continues to publish high-profile decisions on access to specialist treatments and technologies across the NHS. In the same run of recent news, the organisation also reported final draft guidance for routine NHS access to spinal muscular atrophy treatments and draft guidance on liver preservation machines for transplant services. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles?utm_source=openai))
For patients and clinicians, the key issue is whether the technology can support tighter glucose control without adding complexity to care. NICE’s draft guidance indicates that the device could become part of standard NHS support for this specific group, though it remains to be seen whether the final position will change after consultation. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles?utm_source=openai))
Why this matters for maternity diabetes care
Type 1 diabetes in pregnancy requires close monitoring, and any tool that helps maintain stable glucose levels can be clinically significant. NICE’s move suggests the health body sees enough potential benefit to move the technology toward routine access, rather than treating it as a niche or experimental option. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles?utm_source=openai))
The announcement is likely to be welcomed by patients who have long needed more tailored support during pregnancy, a period when treatment decisions can have immediate consequences. If final guidance follows the draft recommendation, the NHS could offer a more standardized pathway for pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy who live with type 1 diabetes. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles?utm_source=openai))
Further details are expected after the consultation process, but for now the guidance marks another step in NICE’s ongoing efforts to expand access to clinically targeted NHS technologies. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles?utm_source=openai))
