Esteemed Professor Helen Murphy is visiting Australia from 13 to 24 October 2025 drawing on her decades of research to advocate for safer pregnancy outcomes for Australian women with type 1 diabetes, using cutting-edge technology.
Prof Murphy has championed the 'artificial pancreas' in the UK which is credited with transforming health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies. She will use the visit to share her insights and findings with political stakeholders, the diabetes sector and health officials.
Her visit is supported by leading health devices company Ypsomed and the Australian Diabetes Society.
Prof Murphy is Professor of Medicine (Diabetes and Antenatal Care) at the University of East Anglia in the UK and a practicing clinician.
She is world renowned for her research and clinical work that supports the use of technology, such as automated insulin delivery systems, akin to an artificial pancreas, for women with type 1 diabetes (deemed higher risk) to achieve the pregnancy glucose targets required for optimal mother and baby health outcomes.
An automated insulin delivery or AID system is a medical device that uses a continuous glucose monitor, an insulin pump, and an algorithm to automatically adjust and deliver insulin based on a person's real-time blood glucose levels.
The Australian Parliament conducted a diabetes-related Inquiry, with the final report finalised in July 2024. The Government has yet to respond to its findings and recommendations.
Recommendation 16 of the report says that the Australian Government should explore expanding subsidised access to insulin pumps for all Australians with Type 1 diabetes.
Professor Helen Murphy welcomed the opportunity to share her experiences and research insights with key decision makers and stakeholders.
"Managing blood sugar levels is more difficult during pregnancy due to changing hormones and eating patterns, which can cause complications, such as congenital defects, early birth, large birthweight or stillbirth," Prof Murphy said.
"Standard treatment can be stressful and burdensome, often requiring multiple daily injections. Research shows that innovative medical devices, such as pregnancy specific automated insulin delivery systems can significantly improve quality of life by automatically adjusting insulin levels, requiring less user input.
"Pregnant women in the UK now have greater access to these automated devices thanks to the NHS recommending them, following extensive research and testing.
"Australia has a world class health care system and could benefit from similar policies."
Australian Diabetes Society CEO Sof Andrikopoulos said the visit will help foster rigorous policy thinking.
"About one in five pregnancies in Australia are affected by diabetes and families deserve access to the best available treatment," Dr Andrikopoulos said.
"Whether you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, women should be afforded first class care, including the availability of affordable technologies."
Ypsomed General Manager Sylva Bardzamian said the visit is an opportune time to promote women's health and advocate for safer pregnancies for those with type 1 diabetes.
"Professor Murphy's research and work has been a game changer for pregnant women living with type 1 diabetes and has saved lives," Ms Bardzamian said.
"The Australian Government is committed to achieving stronger health outcomes which we've seen through the subsidising of continuous glucose monitoring devices for all people living with type 1 diabetes.
"The Government should go a step further and allocate funding towards pregnancy specific automated insulin delivery systems for women with type 1 diabetes pregnant or pregnancy planning, which is consistent with the Inquiry's recommendations.
"By having the device make decisions for the mother in real-time, greatly reduces anxiety and stress for the mother and helps protect the baby.
"Ypsomed has the first and only approved automated insulin dosing algorithm system approved for use in pregnancy in Australia that is safe and clinically proven to improve health outcomes."
