Diabetics on study abroad

I've put a course with a year abroad in Italy as my first choice for uni. I have type 1 diabetes and I'm not sure about if there's any protocol in place for students like me who get essential medical supplies on the NHS like insulin pump disposables and insulin, but will be studying abroad for a year. My diabetes nurse said I'll either be able to come back to the UK for hospital appointments every 3 months so that I still qualify for the equipment and then take it back to Italy with me, or I'll have to sort it out and pay myself but this will be impossible on my student budget (for my pump a week's supply is about £150!!!). She didn't have any personal experience so wasn't sure. Has anyone else been in this situation and could you let me know what you did for the year abroad?