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Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) clinic, set up by a consultant diabetes or endocrinology team.

A structured private CGM programme - sensor fitting, education, coaching and interpretation - so a small wearable device gives you a full-time picture of your glucose, in real time.

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Indicative pricing

What continuous glucose monitor (cgm) clinic and its alternatives cost.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

Full CGM setup with consultant interpretation: £250–£800, plus £70–£120/month sensors.

Procedure Indicative range
CGM starter (sensor fit + consult + two-week review) £250–£800
CGM sensors ongoing (monthly subscription) £70–£120
Consultant diabetes physician review £350–£550
Specialist diabetes nurse follow-up £120–£220
Interpretation report (14-day AGP) £90–£150
Insulin pump / hybrid closed loop review £450–£900

Prices vary by clinic, by which consultant does the case, and by whether preoperative investigations are included or billed separately.

The problem

A sensor is only half the answer - the plan is the other half.

CGM without a consultant to interpret it is just a graph. A structured programme turns 14 days of data into a plan you can actually live with.

  • The right device

    Libre 3, Dexcom G7 or a pump-integrated sensor - chosen on your goals, not on what the clinic stocks.

  • Structured review

    A two-week AGP review with a consultant, not a self-serve dashboard.

  • Insulin, food, activity

    The specialist adjusts insulin and coaches food and activity in the same programme.

When it helps

When continuous glucose monitor (cgm) clinic is the right step.

The situations that fit continuous glucose monitor (cgm) clinic - and the red flag that means an urgent assessment first, not a booking.

  • Type 1 diabetes

    Standard of care in the UK - CGM is expected therapy for all adults and children with type 1.

  • Type 2 diabetes on insulin

    CGM improves time-in-range and reduces hypos where insulin, especially basal-bolus, is being used.

  • Type 2 diabetes, off track

    Rising HbA1c or unexplained fatigue on tablets - a 14-day CGM often uncovers post-meal spikes.

  • Gestational diabetes

    CGM helps target tight post-meal control during pregnancy.

  • Unexplained hypos

    Recurrent low glucose without a clear cause - CGM captures overnight patterns that fasting bloods miss.

  • Weight change, cravings, energy

    Sensor-guided coaching to link food and activity to real glucose responses.

  • Reactive hypoglycaemia

    Post-meal shakiness and hunger - CGM confirms the pattern.

  • Red flag: severe hypos or DKA

    Recurrent severe hypos, unexplained ketones or symptoms of DKA need urgent specialist review.

Treatment options

CGM is one part of a structured programme.

What each device and each intervention does - and how they fit together.

  • FreeStyle Libre 3

    A small round sensor on the arm, 14-day wear, real-time readings to a phone. The workhorse of UK CGM.

  • Dexcom G7

    A smaller sensor, 10-day wear plus a 12-hour grace, integrates with hybrid closed-loop insulin systems.

  • Medtronic Guardian 4

    The sensor most used with Medtronic pumps in a hybrid closed loop.

  • Professional (blinded) CGM

    A 14-day sensor read only by the clinician - useful for a one-off diagnostic snapshot.

  • Hybrid closed-loop pump

    A pump plus CGM plus algorithm - the current standard for many people with type 1 diabetes.

  • Insulin adjustment

    Structured basal and bolus optimisation with the consultant team.

  • Lifestyle coaching

    Food-order, portion, activity and sleep coaching led by data.

Safety and recovery

What to expect, honestly.

CGM is a low-risk wearable. The important things to plan are the small skin considerations, the accuracy caveats, and the ongoing subscription cost.

  • Sensor is well tolerated

    A small filament under the skin - most patients feel it only on application.

  • Skin reactions

    Mild adhesive irritation in a small minority. Barrier films and alternate arms sort out the majority.

  • Sensor accuracy

    Modern CGMs are accurate enough for treatment decisions in most situations, with a small lag behind blood glucose.

  • Finger-prick still needed

    A finger-prick is still recommended if symptoms and sensor reading do not match.

  • Data overload

    Too much data can drive anxiety - a structured programme with a coach keeps you focused.

  • MRI, CT and airport scanners

    Most sensors need to be removed before MRI or CT. Handheld airport screening is generally safe.

  • Paracetamol interference

    High-dose paracetamol can affect some older CGM sensors - modern Libre 3 and Dexcom G7 are largely unaffected.

  • Cost is ongoing

    CGM is a subscription, not a one-off. Budget for £70 to £120 a month for sensors.

  • Red flags

    Recurrent severe hypos, symptoms of DKA or a rising HbA1c despite CGM - call the specialist team the same day.

Reading your procedure note

Your CGM programme in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever consultant does the procedure, the note you receive keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant reviewing a patient's procedure note

A quiet reminder

Clinical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Diagnosis, device and targets

    Type of diabetes (or non-diabetic use), sensor fitted, and agreed time-in-range and hypoglycaemia targets.

  2. 02 Technique

    Fitting and onboarding

    How the sensor was fitted, app paired and alarm thresholds set.

  3. 03 Findings

    14-day AGP - time in range and variability

    The ambulatory glucose profile, percentage time in range, time below range and variability.

  4. 04 Impression

    Plan - food, activity, medication

    Read this first: the changes agreed with the consultant, when to review next.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Some UK insurers fund CGM for type 1 diabetes and for type 2 diabetes on insulin. Non-diabetic and lifestyle programmes are almost always self-pay.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about continuous glucose monitor (cgm) clinic.

Quick answers on device choice, accuracy, pain, NHS eligibility, cost and non-diabetic use.

  • Which CGM should I choose - Libre 3 or Dexcom G7?

    Both are excellent modern sensors. Libre 3 is the UK workhorse - 14-day wear, minimal warm-up, great smartphone app. Dexcom G7 has a very small footprint and pairs with more hybrid closed-loop pumps.

  • Does the sensor hurt?

    Most patients describe a small pressure and no pain during application. The sensor itself sits under the skin and is usually forgotten within a day.

  • How accurate is a CGM?

    Modern sensors are accurate enough for treatment decisions in most situations, with a small lag behind blood glucose that is most noticeable during rapid changes.

  • Can I get a CGM on the NHS?

    Adults and children with type 1 diabetes are eligible for CGM on the NHS. People with type 2 diabetes on insulin or with strong clinical need may also qualify, but availability varies.

  • How much does a private CGM programme cost?

    The initial setup is roughly £250 to £800 depending on the depth of the programme. Ongoing sensors run at £70 to £120 per month.

  • Is CGM useful if I don’t have diabetes?

    CGM can be useful for a defined metabolic-health goal - weight, energy, reactive hypoglycaemia - with a coach interpreting the data.

Related

Looking for something else?

In practice, in the UK

Where a private CGM programme sits in the UK pathway

Waiting for NHS CGM, unexplained hypos, rising HbA1c on tablets, or a structured metabolic goal - a private programme means fast setup and consultant interpretation from day one.

A private CGM programme means a consultant diabetes physician on the case, the right sensor for your goal, coaching in the first weeks and a written plan you can share with your GP.

Everything runs to CQC, GMC and Royal College standards; the choice is about consultant fit and how deep you want the programme to go.