[DeusXM]

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.

[klpants]

Thanks for posting this Deus! I've had problems in the past, but printed out the NICE reccomendations (thsi was two years ago) and showed the old fashioned GP I'm "allowed"! to do so many tests!

[Noemie]

Deus, thanks again. K, thanks for the addtional information.

Appointment with GP on thursday night regarding this issue. Really lookin forward to seein his face when I throw these documents at him.

Not quite sure yet if throwing the papers at him is a figure of speech or if i'm gonna do it... ;-) lol

[Stuboy]

I'd do it! lol

Fortunatly i dont have to, I have no trouble getting the supplies i want
My second perscription for test strips provided me with 600 strips!

[Simon]

My GP will only supply 300 at a time but will supply them as often as I like. He said he wouldn't supply more in one go in case he was liable if I sold them. It's a bit of a pain as I live quite a distance away so I have to do it all by post.

Hopefully "electronic repeat dispensing" will be out next year. This should make life easier.

[DeusXM]

You might be able to set up something with your chemist's. Most chemists offer a repeat prescription collection service that means you don't have to do anything except turn up at the chemist's once in a while. In fact they might even deliver the prescriptions to you too.

[rzrbks]

You people are making me think it's time to move to UK.

I recently lost 1/2 day of work because the Ins. company decided they only had to cover my blood strips AFTER I had met my deductible (out of pocket expenses)............which is incorrect.........so, I spent the time on the phone with INS, supplies supplier, Ins Controller, then, supplier, INS, Controller, INS, Controller, supplier, then INS and Controller.

Thank Goodness, they had Elevator music to listen to while waiting for

Next Available representative

[duck]

Was it good elevator music? Recently, I got to listen to Stairway to Heaven and Black Dog while waiting...

[Simon]

Sadly I live out in the stix. It's even further to the chemist than it is to the doctor. Idealy I would collect them at Tesco's near work but that's too far from my doctor for them to collect the prescription for me.

I'm glad I don't live in the States too. The only worry is that what happens there eventually happens here too. It's already getting that you can't blow your nose without liability insurance.

[Stuboy]

Originally Posted by duck

Was it good elevator music? Recently, I got to listen to Stairway to Heaven and Black Dog while waiting...

Not sure what relavence this plays to the convo? lol

[Noemie]

so went to see the GP tonight. had all printed out, underlined the most relevant part. i even added to it the 6 principals of duties of a doctor by the good medical practice from the general medical council's core guidance for doctors(this was from a big poster in the surgery waiting room btw). it lasted for 25 minutes, and i'm still not getting the care i should get!!! still getting a prescription for 3 strips a day!!!
he even dared sayin that 3 strips a day still is excessive, and that he never said that the NHS guidance are to prescribed 3 strips a day maximum. When my HBAc1 was 7.4 he was calling it high. i used this to show that by doing even less testing so i dont run out of strips it went up to 7.7. u know what, now apparently 7.7 is a good HBAc1!!!

anyway, he said that now that i am seein an endo (i wasnt before) he must follow what the endo says, and the endo wrote a letter to the GP to say that i was requesting more strips and that more than 2 a day were excessive. (btw, the endo also called me "overweight". i'm a size 10!!! not a size zero ok, but COME ON!).

Deus, i also told him about Diabetes UK, involving them further and involving the local press. He said i was very eloquent and made my point clear but that he would not do anything unless the endo or the diabetes nurse at the hospital tell him otherwise.

Well, i'll try again with the diabetes nurse, i will call back D UK in the meantime, and if i dont get my 4x50 a month i'll call the local press. i've already started to put together my tests results to prove that the less i test the upper my HBAc1 goes, and i'll be reading more. Will also visit the website advertised in the surgery for good practice, GMC | Guidance for doctors.

Very very pissed off!! Wanna scream! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!
here we go, feelin a bit better

PS i noticed that diabetics are not the only people they dont care about. there is no systems to help deaf and hard of hearing people communicate and the fire alarm is not equipped for them! i did tell him, he did respond but he did shut up for a mo!

[SueM]

Noemie, do you drive a car?
If so you have a duty of care to other road users to test before u get behind the wheel. So even on that count you need more test strips.
Write him a letter and ask/demand the extra strips you require to maintain your health.Also tell him if they are not forth coming you would like it in writing from him as to HIS reasons why.
Then take the matter further
He has to respond to that letter.
You will either be kicked off his list but that not sound to bad if he that stupid or you will get your test strips.

[Noemie]

Originally Posted by SueM

Noemie, do you drive a car?
If so you have a duty of care to other road users to test before u get behind the wheel. So even on that count you need more test strips.
Write him a letter and ask/demand the extra strips you require to maintain your health.Also tell him if they are not forth coming you would like it in writing from him as to HIS reasons why.
Then take the matter further
He has to respond to that letter.
You will either be kicked off his list but that not sound to bad if he that stupid or you will get your test strips.

Thanks Sue. Will write the letter tonight and post it as signed for tomoro, although the surgery is only a few houses down the street.
I dont drive but i have my license, so i'll keep this in mind

Thanks all for your help and support!

[DazedSheep]

Got 100 strips on thursday without trouble from head diabetic nurse but its unfair how pick and mix its becoming

[Karon]

I have not had problems getting test strips from my GP. But as I am T2 he wants me to test 2 days per week, fasting, and then before and after one meal. Therefore 6 tests per week. Is this what other T2s do?

Karon