[shabbie6247]

Originally Posted by deb wardle

Hi i had this problem only this morning. My test strips were missed off my test strips were missed off my repeat perscription, when i mentiond it to the receptionist she said you can't have anymore, you only had some last week. I had to explain to her in earshot of the whole surgery that I have to test 4 times a day for the purpose of my pump and inbetween if i feel ill. I was once asked by the receptionist if there was anything on my prexcrition that I could manage without as I had eight items on my repeat prescription,all of which were for diabetes,

i NEVER discuss with the receptionist, quite frankly what the heck does she know?? when did she go to med/nursing school??

i only ever discuss my needs/requirements with my diabetes nurse or the nurse practitioner at the surgery (mine is an angel )

[SueM]

Originally Posted by JJM335

I don't have any problem with "rationing" as such. My GP is happy to prescribe enough strips to allow me to test 10+ times per day.

However, because I live out in the wilds, the local GP Practice does it's own dispensing. They refuse to issue prescriptions even though I work in the city and could easily drop into a Chemist's at lunchtime.

The problem is that they insist that they are only allowed to prescribe a maximum of 1 month's supply of ANY of my medications - Perhaps they are expecting a cure for diabetes in the next month.

Because none of the items run out at the same time, I am having to call in to collect things on a weekly basis and since they are open only between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm weekdays, I have to take time off work to collect my stuff.

I have tried to point out to them that it would save them time and effort if they would give me 3 months supply at a time, but they insist that this is "against the rules".

Joel

Well I am sure glad my GP doesn't know the rules. (If they exist)
I live out in the sticks too and can order what I want and when I want test strips are PRN as are all my scripts.
When I needed major surgery back in July I was given a double order of all my suplies just in case I was not fit enough to drive by the time more was needed.
1 of my scripts is for a 6 mth supply of tablets.
My GP will also make sure I can pick all my prescriptions up in one go.

[shiftzor]

Originally Posted by JJM335

I don't have any problem with "rationing" as such. My GP is happy to prescribe enough strips to allow me to test 10+ times per day.

However, because I live out in the wilds, the local GP Practice does it's own dispensing. They refuse to issue prescriptions even though I work in the city and could easily drop into a Chemist's at lunchtime.

The problem is that they insist that they are only allowed to prescribe a maximum of 1 month's supply of ANY of my medications - Perhaps they are expecting a cure for diabetes in the next month.

Because none of the items run out at the same time, I am having to call in to collect things on a weekly basis and since they are open only between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm weekdays, I have to take time off work to collect my stuff.

I have tried to point out to them that it would save them time and effort if they would give me 3 months supply at a time, but they insist that this is "against the rules".

Joel

If i was you, i would go into the pharmacy at the start of each month and tick everything on your prescription. even if you dont need it now, you probly will over the next month thats what i do, i know it might be classed as being greedy but if the system dosnt work properly then i dont see i have much of a choice. Just become a troll and horde although i dont advice using a club to get the perscription

Ive got lots of needles and lancets left over, however i am worried if i dont get them each month the doctor might revise my perscription, i had to fight enough just to get it right in the first place. My last surgery called me in every 3 months to revise my prescriptions however they had no problem giving the quantities i wanted, not sure about this new surgery though. GL

[Cormac_Doyle]

I have no problems getting test strips, insulin or needles ... they only count the tablets ...

The largest number of test strips I have gotten IN ONE GO was 1000 ... but they didn't complain when I was back a couple of weeks later asking for more ...

Course - I'm my own worst enemy ... if I start to get depressed, I'm likely to stop testing at all (and the resulting high blood sugars just make the depression worse)

[Simon]

My GP won't prescribe more than about 6 weeks worth of meds. He says that it's in case I sell them (God knows who to?) and he'll be liable. At least he gives out prescriptions though even though he has a dispensary. I do my renewing by post to save on long round trips. I would have thought refusing to provide a prescription was illegal but that would take some research.

There is a system called "Repeat dispensing" in the UK where the doctor fills out one form each year and you just tear off strips and use them to get your meds. The trouble is I've yet to find a doctor who uses this system. Mine's never ever heard of it and has no interest in taking it up. I guess he makes too much money from the dispensary so it's not in his interests.

[Bevvie]

Hi there

I really don't get GP's communicating to their diabetic (whichever type) patients that testing should be restricted either by saying "you don't need to test much" or by restricting strips. Is this purely a budgetory thing or do they think we are being too clever and should leave it to the professionals e.g. a 3 monthly A1c? My GP definately discouraged testing at my first apt. even though my A1c was 10.1 and fasting 14 !! Surely, a patient motivated to look after their own control is easier to work with and less of a drain, complications-wise, on the dear olde NHS. Can't say I really get it but will continue to test as much as I want even if I do have to purchase sufficient strips online!

[shiftzor]

Originally Posted by Bevvie

Hi there

I really don't get GP's communicating to their diabetic (whichever type) patients that testing should be restricted either by saying "you don't need to test much" or by restricting strips. Is this purely a budgetory thing or do they think we are being too clever and should leave it to the professionals e.g. a 3 monthly A1c? My GP definately discouraged testing at my first apt. even though my A1c was 10.1 and fasting 14 !! Surely, a patient motivated to look after their own control is easier to work with and less of a drain, complications-wise, on the dear olde NHS. Can't say I really get it but will continue to test as much as I want even if I do have to purchase sufficient strips online!

Unfortunately it’s a budget thing, which is totally disgraceful in my opinion. It’s not a surprise that compliance tends to be the exception rather than the norm. Don't leave it up to the GP to take control of your BG because it simply won’t happen. Testing for a type 2 pre-meal and post meal is critical to finding out how your pancreas reacts to different foods, anyone who tells you different should be shot.

[Cloudedbrains]

I must be one very lucky type 2 in the UK as I get whatever strips I need full stop, but I have other health issues that complicate and caused the diabetes and that has meant my diabetes team bend over backwards to help me !!

[Tattoo azz]

I guess i'm one of the lucky ones, my GP is happy to prescribe me what i want, when i want it. If i need more strips i just ask him and he does it there and then. I did once have a GP who kept saying he couldn't give me more strips, pen needles etc, but i just told him to f### off and he was so shocked that he gave me my prescription and never questioned my judgement again! I changed my GP not long after that.

[xMenace]

How much do you guys pay for strips over there? How does insurance coverage work? I know Canada's and the USA's are a bit different, but I know nothing about the UK's. And does this NHS body help with anything?

[Tattoo azz]

Hey John
NHS is made up of PCT's (Primary Care Trusts), which are funded thru taxes. Diabetics don't pay for any prescriptions, but we do have to pay for glasses, dentists etc. It's basically down to each patients Dr as to how much they are willing to give you for each prescription and which PCT you live near (we call this the postcode lottery). I've probably missed alot out but that is basically it in a nutshell
Azz

[notme]

So if your doctor gives you a prescription for strips, you get them for no cost out of pocket. If you need more than he will prescribe then you pay out of pocket? Do I have that right azz?

[HelenM]

Just to clarify the maximum cost for a course of NHS dentistry is £198. (ithough in some areas NHS dentists are in short supply). Sight checks/retinal screening are also free to diabetics.

It was a shock to me to get a bill for almost 1000€ over here, with the system repaying only a fraction of it.

[Cloudedbrains]

Actually only a diabetic on tablets or insulin get free prescriptions on the NHS (and that is any presciption meds too now just diabetes meds) if you are diet controlled you have to pay the NHS fee of around £7 per item on the prescription !!

On applying for free prescriptions for diabetes yo have to get a form signed by your GP (doctor) and then you fill it in and send it off and then you get a NHS medical exemption card (can scan mine in if you want an example) that you have to show when getting your prescriptions

[SueM]

Originally Posted by notme

So if your doctor gives you a prescription for strips, you get them for no cost out of pocket. If you need more than he will prescribe then you pay out of pocket? Do I have that right azz?

Hi Nancy, If we run out of strips or are getting nr the end of supply we just put in a request for a repeat prescription. There is no charge for this at all.
I can have as many as I want and when I want.
As I am pumping now I tend to get through a few more strips nothing is said by my lovely GP at all.
Some GP's have a power streak in them I suspect and love to see their patients squirm by limiting the amount of strips.
It also I suspect does seem as if in some cases that the GP's think it is a waste of time people having them as they do not act on the results.