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No longer prescribing test strips for type 2!

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
I really had to fight for my 25 strips per month. The usual DN that I see is always trying to stop them and actually did so. I made an appointment with the doctor and told him that I was surprised that as the senior partner in the practice he allowed his prescriptions to be withdrawn by a DN. Surely he has more expertise and experience and knows what he wants for his patients? He did not say anything. I also pointed out the progress that I had made in reducing my BG and said it would be no longer possible if I did not have access to testing. Again no verbal response but they were restored. I am delighted that I get them but aware that it could stop at any time. Polite persistence paid off for me. Keep trying is my suggestion. (I would self-fund if necessary.) Good luck 🙂
 
That's absolutely right, Fiona, but that argument cuts no ice with either the CCGs or the government. It's far too logical. I don't know what the answer is, but it shouldn't have to like Bubbsie's battle with the CCG.

It's up to DUK to persuade the powers that be that this is a positive financial move.
Absolute nonsense ..Fiona those are exactly the right kind of arguments that do make an effective challenge to have your testing strips prescription reinstated...contrary to the comments above...I used exactly those points to challenge my local CCG...and have my testing strips provided on prescription...I have sent you a pm...we can discuss the contents tomorrow.
 
I really had to fight for my 25 strips per month. The usual DN that I see is always trying to stop them and actually did so. I made an appointment with the doctor and told him that I was surprised that as the senior partner in the practice he allowed his prescriptions to be withdrawn by a DN. Surely he has more expertise and experience and knows what he wants for his patients? He did not say anything. I also pointed out the progress that I had made in reducing my BG and said it would be no longer possible if I did not have access to testing. Again no verbal response but they were restored. I am delighted that I get them but aware that it could stop at any time. Polite persistence paid off for me. Keep trying is my suggestion. (I would self-fund if necessary.) Good luck 🙂
Good for you happydog...well done...if only more would do the exact same
 
I have just been told by the diabetic nurse that I will not be able to have any test strips. The reason given was that it costs too much. Apparently my practice is the last one in the area to do this. Anyone else had this happen?

Hi @Fiona Atkinson really disappointing to hear about the problems you've had getting test strips - as suggested by Bubbsie writing to your local health care authority - CCG if you're in England - is a good place to start. Diabetes UK has a tool you can use to contact your CCG here, which provides a template letter you can edit. Definitely worth including benefits you've had from the test strips and any other details of your own experience.

There's also a pack you can download to help you convince the health care authorities to give you the strips you need. Do keep us posted on how you get on and if you need any other support from Diabetes UK get in touch with our Helpline
 
Hi @Fiona Atkinson really disappointing to hear about the problems you've had getting test strips - as suggested by Bubbsie writing to your local health care authority - CCG if you're in England - is a good place to start. Diabetes UK has a tool you can use to contact your CCG here, which provides a template letter you can edit. Definitely worth including benefits you've had from the test strips and any other details of your own experience.

There's also a pack you can download to help you convince the health care authorities to give you the strips you need. Do keep us posted on how you get on and if you need any other support from Diabetes UK get in touch with our Helpline
Sage advice there Stefan...however...no point in writing to the CCG until her GP has outlined the reasons why they are refusing to continue to prescribe testing strips...it may be that s/he is content to reinstate the prescription...once they have discussed it with her...then no need for further action...if/once a refusal has been made...reasons outlined...if it is a restriction imposed by the local CCG ...obviously the next stage will be challenging the CCG directly...it isn't a terribly complicated process... I don't want it to sound more difficult than it is...and...it may not guarantee the intended result every time ...however it is something all those refused essential supplies...or having treatment (yes I do consider testing strips/meters part of our treatment) withdrawn... which they need to manage their conditions should consider doing.
 
Fiona sent you some information in a pm...hope you have received it.
 
Hi Fiona...have slightly amended this unitl you can send/receive the pm...okay to business...no doubt you've noticed how strongly I feel about this issue...told initially no need to test my blood...accepted that...learnt better later...first I suggest you ask your GP (not the DSN) to provide you with testing strips...I did this in a letter...no doubt from your post...you are an articulate...intelligent woman...who could write her own...but...sometimes it is more difficult to decide what to leave out...as opposed to what to put in...I have a draft letter to my own GP...easily adapted to suit others...can send you a copy...also have a draft letter ...important to take a step by step approach...first ask GP...wait to see if s/he agrees...if so...no need to take this any further...even if you have a yes...DSN may try to limit the amount of strips provided...had exactly the same problem...how I addressed it...it is not as difficult as you may think...of course I cannot guarantee you will get the same response...however...strongly believe we should all not just sit back and accept such shabby treatment...I have to say the DUK response to this issue was disappointing...they did ask me if they could feature my experience on their web site...but...I sent them my information...for them to summarise...made it clear wanted to have final approval...what came back so poorly argued...badly written...not representative of my experience...had to decline their invitation to take part...let me know how you feel about my suggestions...if you approve...we can get started! ...I would speak to Northerner...ask why not receiving the pm's...in fact will ask him myself.
 
Aaah - now - not a Mod on here but I am on another forum, so I just wondered. When you click on a member's name, you can then click on various sub-headings so if eg I wanted to check a post that I knew someone had put on a week or go but is no longer handy, I can 'find all content by whoever' - and other things.

With @Fiona Atkinson - I can't do that, because she has limited who is allowed to look at her profile. In which case maybe nobody at all can send her a PM etc? Perhaps she clicked on something accidentally without realising what it might affect? or did she intend to do this? (cos if she did intend it then Admin can't change it obviously) But I'm guessing again, it was accidental. And odd that the system allows the sender to send a PM if the person has opted not to receive them.

@Northerner - am I anywhere close?
 
Aaah - now - not a Mod on here but I am on another forum, so I just wondered. When you click on a member's name, you can then click on various sub-headings so if eg I wanted to check a post that I knew someone had put on a week or go but is no longer handy, I can 'find all content by whoever' - and other things.

With @Fiona Atkinson - I can't do that, because she has limited who is allowed to look at her profile. In which case maybe nobody at all can send her a PM etc? Perhaps she clicked on something accidentally without realising what it might affect? or did she intend to do this? (cos if she did intend it then Admin can't change it obviously) But I'm guessing again, it was accidental. And odd that the system allows the sender to send a PM if the person has opted not to receive them.

@Northerner - am I anywhere close?
Hi I have checked settings etc
Aaah - now - not a Mod on here but I am on another forum, so I just wondered. When you click on a member's name, you can then click on various sub-headings so if eg I wanted to check a post that I knew someone had put on a week or go but is no longer handy, I can 'find all content by whoever' - and other things.

With @Fiona Atkinson - I can't do that, because she has limited who is allowed to look at her profile. In which case maybe nobody at all can send her a PM etc? Perhaps she clicked on something accidentally without realising what it might affect? or did she intend to do this? (cos if she did intend it then Admin can't change it obviously) But I'm guessing again, it was accidental. And odd that the system allows the sender to send a PM if the person has opted not to receive them.

@Northerner - am I anywhere close?
Hi thanks for this information. Have checked my profile etc and as far as I can see there isn't a box to tick for receiving pm? As you can tell I am new to all this!
 
Hi Fiona. Try clicking on your name beside the inbox on the dark blue line , on the drop down list click on privacy . Go down to edit your contact details, ensure the boxes are ticked for your preferred people who can contact you.
You can alter all your settings on that page that way if you wish.
 
Thanks Lin - never thought to try editing my own to see what you needed to do! DOH LOL
 
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Hi Fiona. Try clicking on your name beside the inbox on the dark blue line , on the drop down list click on privacy . Go down to edit your contact details, ensure the boxes are ticked for your preferred people who can contact you.
You can alter all your settings on that page that way if you wish.
Thanks. I have checked that and have conversations set to members only. Should that be ok?
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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