Test strip provisions in the UK - Page 2

Simon · #16 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 10:52 AM

Getting GP's to put things in writing can cost. My GP charged me £12.50 for a letter saying I needed to take insulin on the plane with me.

The fasted solution might be to change doctors. Sounds like you need to hassle your endo as well. There is no such thing as excessive testing for a type 1.

Type 2's test less often because there sugars tend to be more stable, especially if they're not on insulin. If you're not getting wild results as a type 2 then your doctor's probably ok there.

sofaraway · #17 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 11:01 AM

I've had no problems getting strips from my GP, they were giving my 100 strips each time i put in a repeat, i asked her to increase it to 200, she said that it seemed like i was testing alot, more often than most pateints (i only test 4-6 times a day), and i could test less often as my control was good and my HbA1c was 5.8%, i pointed out that it is only that good because i am able to test as often as i require, she agreed an printed the prescrption.

thanks for putting this info up Deus, i am probbaly moving house in the new year so a new GP might not be as good, i'll be well armed.

DeusXM · #18 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

My GP charged me £12.50 for a letter saying I needed to take insulin on the plane with me.

Change your GP. I'm not even sure it's legal to do that. As a rule I exclude my GP from my diabetes treatment and involve only the nurse and diabetologist at my clinic in anything to do with managing my condition. They've never charged me for writing a letter.

Noemie · #19 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon

Getting GP's to put things in writing can cost. My GP charged me £12.50 for a letter saying I needed to take insulin on the plane with me.

Yeah this sounds 100% illegal. there should be a way for you to get ur money back.

The good news about me is that my GP does not have a choice anymore but to allow me to test more. i've finally started using nicotine replacements and it says on the notice that if u have type 1 you must test more often as even sugar-free Nicorette gums might affect ur BG.

Stuboy · #20 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon

Getting GP's to put things in writing can cost. My GP charged me £12.50 for a letter saying I needed to take insulin on the plane with me.

The fasted solution might be to change doctors. Sounds like you need to hassle your endo as well. There is no such thing as excessive testing for a type 1.

Type 2's test less often because there sugars tend to be more stable, especially if they're not on insulin. If you're not getting wild results as a type 2 then your doctor's probably ok there.

Your diabetes clinic will write you one for free. My nurse told me when she wrote mine not to go to my GP for a letter like that because he'll charge, and the clinic wont.

SueM · #21 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon

Getting GP's to put things in writing can cost. My GP charged me £12.50 for a letter saying I needed to take insulin on the plane with me.

We are talking 2 dif issues here.
Yes writing letters for things like that and ins forms they are allowed to charge for.
But we are talking about a reply to Noemie's letter regarding test strips. There is no charge for this.

Noemie · #22 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 04:53 AM

I still think in his case that's not really legal because it's diabetes related and medical care related.
And also, and above all, he should have told you that travelling with your repeat prescription was enough. Been checked a number of times within the past few months, whether i was travelling to Europe, back to the UK or outside Europe, and my repeat presc. was checked each time and was enough as my name appears on it.

Simon · #23 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 06:24 AM

Well to be fair it was my company that insisted I got a letter because they were worried that I would be left behind otherwise and didn't believe me when I said it wouldn't be a problem. Needless to say I had the company pay for the letter.

If I could change GP I would, but it's the only practice taking on patients with my post code so I'm stuffed really.

Noemie · #24 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon

If I could change GP I would, but it's the only practice taking on patients with my post code so I'm stuffed really.

Yeah, i got the same problem.

Tattoo azz · #25 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 03:52 PM

Noemie,tell the press anyway.And also check other Dr's to see if they will accept you,but tell them why you want to change Dr's.They might surprise you.Don't give up,this Dr sounds like an arsehole and deserves plenty of embarassment

Fat Steve · #26 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 04:23 PM

Most, even specialist Health Professionals are blase about strips and tests: My recommended tests are once a day, now and then. My ranges are 3.2 - ERR (over 30). I am now on a rangefinder mission using Lantus, but I am still testing four times a day. They want me on humalog too - maybe I could wash out one strip and use it again. But seriously - yea - they restrict. I get 10 bottles of insulin a month and 50 strips. I carry a meter in the car, so, given that they are individualised by chip, I am allowed 25 tests a month. Excuse me whilst i count my toes.

SueM · #27 (**permalink**) 12-21-2006, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Steve

Most, even specialist Health Professionals are blase about strips and tests: My recommended tests are once a day, now and then. My ranges are 3.2 - ERR (over 30). I am now on a rangefinder mission using Lantus, but I am still testing four times a day. They want me on humalog too - maybe I could wash out one strip and use it again. But seriously - yea - they restrict. I get 10 bottles of insulin a month and 50 strips. I carry a meter in the car, so, given that they are individualised by chip, I am allowed 25 tests a month. Excuse me whilst i count my toes.

Oh No Steve,follow the link on page one that Deus kindly put up and fight for your right to a normal life.
There is no reason why if you test and adjust your insulin to carb/bs you can't live a long and normal life.
You should not be getting behind the wheel of a car if you do not test. If you do it could be fatal to you and anyone in your way.
I was reading about a lady a few weeks back she had no idea she was hypo just went into a trance behind the wheel she killed an inocent driver and has ended up in a wheel chair herself. She was in court to answer charges for driving while under the influence of drugs and causing the death of the other driver.

klpants · #28 (**permalink**) 12-22-2006, 02:43 AM

All these posts clearly indicate the needs of every person with diabetes is different and depends on life schedules! what's "enough" testing for one person with type 1 or type 2 may not be "enough" for another, why can't the healthcare practitioners realise this...................................???

Keep at it Noemie, it's YOUR diabetes after all!

laura_fairy_22 · #29 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 05:59 AM

Go to the press immediately!
Dr's get paid rediculious amounts of money and by the sounds of it isnt doing his job correctly...
Maybe get a legal consultation?? they are usually free 1/2 hr sessions.
or talk to someone legal @ Diabetes UK??

You deserve to be in control of your D and he is stopping you from doing that! How would he like it if he wasnt able to??
Dr's take the hyppocratic oath to preserve life.. i know this sounds harsh... but by not allowing you to be in control & maybe run high for long periods of time, is this not damaging your body??? and going against the oath?

Noemie · #30 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laura_fairy_22

Go to the press immediately!
Dr's get paid rediculious amounts of money and by the sounds of it isnt doing his job correctly...
Maybe get a legal consultation?? they are usually free 1/2 hr sessions.
or talk to someone legal @ Diabetes UK??

You deserve to be in control of your D and he is stopping you from doing that! How would he like it if he wasnt able to??
Dr's take the hyppocratic oath to preserve life.. i know this sounds harsh... but by not allowing you to be in control & maybe run high for long periods of time, is this not damaging your body??? and going against the oath?

Hi all, and thanks for your support. (hope u all had great holidays btw)

I sent the letter to my GP on 05.12.06. Still no answer so i will try to see him on wednesday and demand a written response. I sent a request for my repeat yesterday so i'll have to go pick it up. If this hasnt worked, i'll call D UK.

I know it should have been done earlier but i had so much going on i just couldnt

Anywayz, hope u r all alright