It's come to my attention that some members in the UK here are having trouble convincing their PCT to provide them with enough test strips, and that some PCTs are restricting access to this essential diabetes management supply.
Such restrictions are in violation of the National Service Framework for Diabetes, Section 3 -
NSF Diabetes : The Department of Health - Pubs and stats: Publications
Diabetes UK is very firm on this and says 'Restrictions on the type and numbers of testing strips is unacceptable as this does not meet individual needs and circumstances. Such a policy is against Standard 3 of the National Service Framework (NSF) for diabetes relating to patient empowerment' -
Home monitoring of blood glucose levels - Diabetes UK
If your PCT persists in restricting access to test strips, point out that they are in fact in direct violation of every NHS guideline with regards to diabetes management, with all the legal ramifications that entails. Make it very clear to them that you are going to be a massive thorn in their side, firstly by informing all patients in that PCT that they are receiving substandard care (by the NHS's own admission) and then contacting Diabetes UK to lobby on your behalf. It may also help if you threaten to involve the local media in asking questions as to why a PCT is puposefully providing substandard care despite orders from the NHS itself.
