Test strip provisions in the UK

[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 (http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPAmpGBrowsableDocument/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4096591&MULTIPAGE_ID=4901690&chk=leq pVi)

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 (http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/Our_Views/Position_statements/Home_monitoring_of_blood_glucose_levels/)

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! :thumbsup:

[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]

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!!! :mad:
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!!! :hmmmm:

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. :banghead:

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 (http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance).

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]

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

[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.

[sofaraway]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 :fight:

[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.

[SueM]

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]

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...................................??? :confused:

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

[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?

[Noemie]

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

[LauRa Lu]

I handed in my prescription last week and it says on i that I can order up to 5 pots of strips. So I circle it and asked for 3. Just 3. Got my prescription back today and only got two! I'm so annoyed why say i can have 5, I ask for just 3 and they give me two! It's not enough, I went without any at all last month because i ran out and couldn't get to the docotors to order more! Stupid system. I know we get em' free but the point is if i could but more i would... they cost silly money tho and are never in stock.

I also had a hopsital check up which i had waited a year for, they call to cancel two days before...because of funding :confused:

[Stuboy]

you should be able to get as many as you want! I can... i get 10 pots at a time! no questions asked.

[buzzborne]

I also had a hopsital check up which i had waited a year for, they call to cancel two days before...because of funding :confused:

I didnt have this problem, but i was told my clinic was on one date - rang up to try an change it - to be told that it was actually the day before... this was in october.. the next appt they said I could have was march 27th... when i see them it will have been 18months or so since ive seen somebody.

with prescriptions I have always got the amount that I have asked for - if they dont have enough in they will always order some for the next day for me.

[Peter Lee]

Care provision must vary tremendously over the country.

I never have a problem seeing who I want and when I want (Dr or diabetes nurse) and I always get the number of strips I need, which averages out at three pots per prescription.

[josie p]

I've never been told that I can't have any strips yet! But getting a prescription right is another story indeed....

My old doctor as long as I phoned before 10am I could pick up my scripe in the afternoon... Being a one man band, they knew there more dependant patients by first name etc...

But since his retirement surgery has gone the same way has any other doctor surgery is.... You have 4 choices now

1, post your repeat request in

2, Go in to make a request

3, Phone your request via the pharmcey

4, E-mail your request

But just don't ever try to phone a request, phone shall go down if you try!!!

1st two are hopeless, if you try to e-mail you get to the surgery after the 72 hour wait period only find that no-one has checked the e-mails for that week so it hasn't been done!

So only real oprion is to phone the pharmacy... Then the fun begins.... Phone monday and pick-up script on Thursday or Friday (if you lucky) pharmacy and surgery is all part of the same perpose built building!

Ring up for test strips and there is a good chance that I'm going to end up with lancets? I've now have a 5 years supply of Lancets!

Ring up for humalog and I get Levermir which for some stange reason I only get one box of Humalog, but 2 of Levermir?

I've had to postpone a holiday by a day, because it took 2 attemps to get the right precribtion written out, I've ended up having to go to A&E doctor to get insulin after my prescription was wrong 3 times and my last supply of insulin I took on the saturday morning before going to the chemist only to find that the wrong prescription had been done again, and it was bank holiday and I had no insulin left!

But what bugs me more than anything is the amonut of time I've got to run up and down to collect my medication... As I've got to take several different tablets as well as my insulin... But they all finish at different times and are dispensed in different amounts! ahhhHHH

[Peter Lee]

It's amazing how things vary across the UK. Where I am in Devon, I've never had any problems getting exactly what I need and in the right quantities. The surgery has a web site and I order repeat prescriptions on that and two days later I go to the pharmacy and pick up the filled prescription.

At my doctor's practice (which is a large one), I am well looked after both medically and from a service point of view.

[DeusXM]

Never had a problem either - my GP surgery also has a website where you fill in a specific form for your repeat prescriptions and then tell them which surgery you want to pick them up from. Gets done in two days.

The reason they don't take repeats over the phone is because there's too great a risk of the receptionist writing down the wrong things.

[shabbie6247]

hi everyone,
i live in north wales
i was diagnosed last may and treated for type two, once i was on metformin my gp told me i didnt need to test more than once a day (just random times)
then in october they finally decided i'm actually type 1.5 and need insulin.
since then the attitude is very different, i can order what i want pretty much when i want it. i only live up the road from the surgery and the chemist so i usually request two pots at a time with no problems. i test between 4 to 6 times a day dependent on my activity or illness levels
getting emergency appointments are no problem, but waiting for general appoinments or clinic appointments takes a while longer.
i still havent seen the retinologist since i was diagnosed ~ i took myself for a free eye test for glasses while i wait lol

in general i cant complain because the healthcare team listen to what i want and because i'm a sensible gal they allow me to treat as and how i want.

i'm sorry for you guys that dont get the same level of care from your teams.

isnt there a diabetes care charter? or was i dreaming?

[shabbie6247]

i just found this page just for info
Diabetes National Service Framework (NSF) (http://www.nhs.uk/England/AboutTheNHS/Nsf/Diabetes.cmsx)

a quote from this page "Giving you more proactive care: GP practices can earn significant extra funding for improving the health and care of people with long-term conditions - including diabetes. To do this they need to be proactive and ensure people with diabetes maintain the best health possible by getting the right care at the right time. "

doesnt that mean you get as many test strips as you need?

[RATTY]

i test 5 times a day had no problems getin the strips but hadtohave a big shout at doctor to get them:eek:

[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,

[DeusXM]

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? In my experience the doctors are much more understanding than the receptionists. Recently I changed my brand of strips and was only issued with 50, rather than my usual 200. I spoke to the doctor, told them I test 8-9 times a day, and that yes, I was happy doing that, and they modified my prescription there and then.

[DM-UK]

I get 100 every 28 days with no problem.

What disturbed me was my gp's receptionist who said that in the future only type 1s will be getting the strips.

When I saw the diabetes nurse at the hospital she said that that wasn't true. That all diabetics will continue to get the strips.

Then again when I showed up for my yearly check-up at the diabetes clinic I was told that I didn't have an appointment. :eek: Apparently they are only going to see those on insulin at the clinic for now on and us pill pushers will have to depend on our gps. And my gp knows squat about diabetes.:(

[turtle72]

I get 50 with every repeat prescription. Recently I was going on holiday and needed a few extra (just in case) so I just let my gp know I was going away and I got the extra in a seperate script.

I spoke to my nurse about some of the concerns on here about test strips and she said everyone was different and each diabetic should get what they need from their gp and that you just have to let them know how many times a day you test. Apparently the prescriptions for test strips are decided on a case by case basis, the gp's are not told how many they're allowed to prescribed per patient.

[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

[shabbie6247]

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]

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]

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]

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. :D

[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]

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.

[xMenace]

Diabetics don't pay for any prescriptions,

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 !!

What's the definition of a prescription? insulin and pills certainly, but do strips, lancets, infusion sets and reservoirs, alcohol swabs, and meters all qualify?

This is like figuring out life insurance :eek:

[Cloudedbrains]

Test strips and lancets and 1 litre sharps boxes are on repeat prescription
I believe supplies for a pump would be obtained from district nurses but I aint sure as I aint on a pump

[davef]

In Ireland, when diagnosed your GP completes a form with a list of necessary medications and also supplies (strips/lancets), this is submitted to our Health Board and when approved we get whatever is on the prescriptions for free (well in exchange for paying our taxes really). Its part of what's called the Long Term Illness scheme. Strange thing is Asthmatics don't qualify for the scheme!

If I need an anti-biotic I will have to pay as it's not diabetes related.

[SueM]

What's the definition of a prescription? insulin and pills certainly, but do strips, lancets, infusion sets and reservoirs, alcohol swabs, and meters all qualify?

This is like figuring out life insurance :eek:

Yep they all qualify except the meter. But plenty of freebies about. Plus all other meds too even if not diabetes related. If you have diabetes the whole lot is free as long as your diabetes is not diet controlled only.

[fgummett]

If you have diabetes the whole lot is free as long as your diabetes is not diet controlled only.So someone with D who is controlled with diet and exercise only does not qualify for test strips :confused: This is bass-ackwards :mad: Surely it makes more sense to do as much as possible to slow/delay/minimise the onset of D... otherwise we are stuck with the old model of only treating complications.

An ounce of prevention...

[CarrieB]

They don't qualify for free prescriptions for test strips and lancets, but if on a low income they would qualify for free prescriptions. If not there's a standard charge of £7.10 per item on a prescription, or an annual prepayment option of £102.50 which will cover all prescriptions, for anything, for the year.

Alternatively, Brits can move to Wales where prescriptions are now free for everyone.