Pumps in the UK

Georgia · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2005, 06:00 AM

How readily available are pumps in the UK? My doctor has never mentioned them to me.

Thank you.

klpants · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2005, 10:20 AM

Hi Georgia

Pumps in the UK are available but of course at a cost (they are not covered by the NHS).
I've noticed certain doctors are not really knowledgeable about things to do with diabetes (especially new research and innovative new things like continuous monitoring etc, etc) in the UK. If you want info you will have to do the asking instead of waiting for a doctor to tell you.....you might be waiting a looonnng time.

It's best to be an informed patient in the UK, knowledge gets you far.

So get asking!!

buzzborne · #3 (**permalink**) 08-15-2005, 02:30 PM

As klpants said they are available in the UK, but as they are not covered by the NHS, they can be difficult to get hold of.
I cuold have been on a trial for one when I was back in school but as I was already on 4 injections a day they turned me down.

I have asked about getting a pump to my last Dr and to the one I have now, and both have said that I could benefit from one, but the only problem is the cost - to ''buy'' a pump it can set up back upto £2500, and that is only for the pump, you then have the additional costs of all the supplies, e.g the insulin, the canulas etc and that can be up to £100 per month... so the cost can be quite steep.

I would ask you Dr/Nurse about it, I know one member on the board here if from the Uk and is on a pump and got funding for it(for good reason tho) the questions just need to be asked.

If/When you do ask, let us now how you get on - any info would be great!!

Georgia · #4 (**permalink**) 08-16-2005, 10:23 AM

Thank you both of you.

I will speak to my doctor when I next see him. It's a shame pumps are not covered by the NHS, they sound great things for diabetics. They are expensive though

Sarah - can I ask why you were turned down because you were on 4 injections a day? Why does that make a difference?

Cheers me dears

klpants · #5 (**permalink**) 08-16-2005, 10:42 AM

Sarah - can I ask why you were turned down because you were on 4 injections a day? Why does that make a difference?

Yes, I was also wondering about this??, most people on the pump were on up to four injections a day (is this another thing an uneducated GP or nurse said to you??)

buzzborne · #6 (**permalink**) 08-16-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgia

Sarah - can I ask why you were turned down because you were on 4 injections a day? Why does that make a difference?

The reason I was turned down was b/c as it was a trial they thought that 4 injections was well managed enough and they wanted people newly diagnosed or on 2/3 injections a day. As you can imagine I was FURIOUS.

I was also close to getting a pump through my diabetic clinic, I was top of the list... but then a pump never came available before I moved away.

klpants · #7 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 01:52 AM

Ahh, that's too bad Buzzbourne

. I still can't believe it though, it's possible to have just as poor control on four injections as opposed to 2 or three per day.

Seems very shortsighted of the people running the trial.

Are you still after a pump? Better luck for next time!!

buzzborne · #8 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 04:03 PM

Yup still after a pump... but it may be a while before I get one....

Georgia · #9 (**permalink**) 08-19-2005, 01:52 PM

My bs are being a bit wild so maybe I could persuade my GP for a pump.

DeusXM · #10 (**permalink**) 08-20-2005, 03:17 PM

There are some common misconceptions about pumps in the UK. Contrary to popular belief, pumps ARE available in the UK under the NHS. However, they are not just 'freely' available. To obtain a pump funded by the NHS you have to demonstrate that you qualify for a pump, and to do this you must be able to demonstrate that you have a firm commitment to obtaining the best possible BG control.

You can try asking your GP for a pump on the NHS but I doubt they will be interested unless you can present a results log which consists almost entirely of readings under 7 mmol/l.

As a side-note on the pump, I've noticed a worrying tendancy amongst those on injections to regard the pump as a 'cure' of some sorts, that it's easier with pump to control your bg. I personally am not on the pump (although I have been told I qualify for one), but from what I've heard from both those on the pump and from healthcare professionals, this is not really the full story. The pump is a lot of work, a lot of fine-tuning, and I can vouch that people on the pump are by far the most meticulous of those with diabetes in working out carb amounts and insulin ratios. The beauty and effectiveness of the pump in controlling bg has very little to do with the action of the pump and has far more to do with the mindset it encourages you into. If you do not already have this commitment whilst on an MDI regime, you're not going to have it when you go on the pump either.

If you are still interested in a pump, then I would talk to your hospital's diabetic nurse, rather than your GP. You will find them much more helpful in providing you with options.