Hi, I am a "Newbie" on here and I have just received a letter from my GP stating that my Prescription for my Diabetic Testing Strips has been Cancelled, as they don't think I need them ? I am absolutely Astounded by this..... I have been a Type 2 Diabetic for around Fifteen Years, and my GP and Nurses have Congratulated me Constantly on how well I have managed my Blood Glucose Levels and my GP has commented that if he didn't know better he would think that I didn't have Diabetes. I will now be unable to Control my Diabetes as well as I had previously and I feel that I will be in Danger of Having Hypo episodes.... I really don't know what to do ? I Don't think that Speaking to my GP will help , because I have had Disagreements with her before about my Diabetes........ Chris
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Refused Testing Strips by GP
- Thread starter CHRISJK
- Start date
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Bill Stewardson
Well-Known Member
Hello to you Chris,
Sadly that is not an uncommon tale,
All I would suggest is writing back to appeal the decision.
Always worth exhausting their internal procedures,
Good luck with it.
Sadly that is not an uncommon tale,
All I would suggest is writing back to appeal the decision.
Always worth exhausting their internal procedures,
Good luck with it.
Bubbsie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Chris...I believe you need to challenge this...particularly since you have been prescribed them for almost fifteen years...demonstrated they are a necessary part of your diabetes management/control...this has happened to several members here...either their prescription for testing stirps has been restricted...or cancelled...many simply accept that believing there is nothing they can do...part of the problem is GP practices are under pressure to reduce costs...type 2 diabetics non-dependant on hypoglycaemic medications are routinely denied testing a strips on prescription (they are easy targets)...and as demonstrated by your circumstances those that have been using them for many years...have them withdrawn...you can write to your GP...challenge the withdrawing of your prescription...ask for justification...if it is a directive from your local CCG...you can write to them and justify your need for testing strips on prescription...I have done that myself...I now have my testing strips supplied on prescription...if you want to challenge this decision...I am more than happy to help if you need it...think about it...let me know.
Hi, Thank you for your Reply....Of Course I want to Challenge This Decision.
Yes I am on Metformin , and my GP has Reduced this. At first she wanted to Reduce my Tablets from Four to Two Tablets a Day, but after we had a "Discussion" they were Reduced to Three a Day
Bubbsie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Good Chris...part of the overall problem is not many of us do challenge...not sure we can...or how we do that...I suggest the first thing would be to write to your GP...point out your diabetes is well managed & under control...you test regularly to maintain that control...it is essential for you to be able to continue that...as a new member I am not sure if you are able to use the private message (PM) facility here yet...if not we could ask one of the moderators to amend that...would you be confident writing your own letter?...or do you need a hand...important if your GP is going to withdraw any essential equipment for managing your diabetes it should be done only after discussion with the patient...a couple of points...are you currently on any medication...what are your blood sugar levels now... there are other points we would need to cover (personal circumstances)...that is probably better done privately...if you need assistance with the letters happy to help...we can do that by PM.
Lucy Honeychurch
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Good luck with your appeal. I really don't understand the logic behind this, seems bonkers to me. If people can control their bgs from regularly testing and wish to do so then why deny them the ability to do so? I know many people self fund, but what about people on low incomes? Prevention is better than cure, surely 
Vicsetter
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
As I see it the problem lies with the 'scientific studies' that the NHS seems to use to prove that self testing does not affect the outcome of HBA1c. The latest study in the states is amazing in it's stupidity:http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2630691
The test group was split in 3, one group didn't test, one group tested once a day and one group tested once a day with encouragement!
These so-called experts fail to understand that people do not test once a day, but use self testing to monitor and adjust the foods that affect their HBA1c. Unofrtunately this is what NICE and your GP/DN uses as an excuse for reducing costs.
This is the argument you have to argue with your GP.
Having said that it is probably hard to justify a lot of testing if you have been doing it for a number of years. After time you tailor your eating habits to avoid and reduce your BG levels and testing once or twice a day is probably as much as you need.
How often do you test? and when? Will the lack of test strips affect your eating habits?
The test group was split in 3, one group didn't test, one group tested once a day and one group tested once a day with encouragement!
These so-called experts fail to understand that people do not test once a day, but use self testing to monitor and adjust the foods that affect their HBA1c. Unofrtunately this is what NICE and your GP/DN uses as an excuse for reducing costs.
This is the argument you have to argue with your GP.
Having said that it is probably hard to justify a lot of testing if you have been doing it for a number of years. After time you tailor your eating habits to avoid and reduce your BG levels and testing once or twice a day is probably as much as you need.
How often do you test? and when? Will the lack of test strips affect your eating habits?
You could always change your GP!
Bubbsie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Whether or not he changes his GP he's likely to encounter the same problem at another practice...more to the point we should not be expected to simply accept this kind of treatment without any prior consultation...discussion or agreement...the more of us that challenge these arbitrary decisions the better...why on earth just 'roll over' & just give in?...that's not an option any of us should consider.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
As Metformin is not a glucose lowering medication and there is no legal requirement for testing before driving or using machinery there seems to have been a tightening up of the prescribing of testing supplies, and most newly diagnosed type 2s are being advised not to test at all.
Bill Stewardson
Well-Known Member
Seems to me that removing/refusing strips could be false economy in that early detection of problems would be missed. Not to mention the peace of mind that they obviously give to patients.
Doing it without firstly consulting the patient suggests all sorts of dark things which do not belong in a 21st century health care organisation.
Bubbsie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Metformin does work to lower the amount of sugar produced in the liver... it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin...so cells are able to remove sugar from the blood... Metformin also slows the absorption of sugars from the intestines...lowering the amount of sugar in the blood...it rarely causes hypos...however that is not the issue here...if you prescribe testing strips for fifteen years then remove them without any consultation...that is manifestly wrong...for those well motivated T2's who have been testing consistently to manage/control their conditions strips & meters should be provided... never withdrawn without consultation/justification...it's not a question of 'tightening up'...more a case of type 2 diabetics being east targets for cost cutting exercises...since we rarely 'fight back' the practice continues.
mikeyB
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I completely agree with Bubbsie. Yes, the risk of hypo is reduced on Meformin, that's hardly the point. All the potential damage comes from persistently high blood glucose, so if you have no testing, you are far more likely to develop complications. I can't think of a falser economy. It's completely idiotic.
happydog
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
My GP practice have been keen to not let me have any strips and the DNs are the culprits. I have been politely persistent and it has worked. I only get 50 bimonthly which is not many and as I have noticed some spiking recently (probably due to stress) I am going to test more for a while, so have bought less expensive meter and the strips and will use that for extra tests when it arrives.. Although I have been called "obsessive" I have found that testing has helped me with my control. I would certainly query this refusal and see if you can get them back. Good luck with it. 🙂
Vicsetter
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
As
Being devils advocate, I have said elswhere and in this thread, where is the scientific study which supports the theory that self monitoring has a positive result? My GP reluctantly gave me a new prescription but would rather do an HBA1c test at shorted intervals than annual.
Bill Stewardson
Well-Known Member
I think your missing the point that any D who tests is actively assisting the medical teams by continuously monitoring their BG levels which can only be good on a number of fronts.
Early detection of possible onset of various problems, teaching themselves about which foods their systems do or do not tolerate. Ingraining in themselves the multi disciplines required to adhere to strict intake regimens.
Exempting, to a large degree, the NHS from actively doing all of the above may not be quantifiable on a clinical test study, it does however deserve recognition as vital and more than necessary, indeed, all those who are self testing at their own expense deserve the thanks of the NHS and indirectly the general public.
ANYONE self testing is an example of self help at a time of worry , giving them the help they need is a fundamental responsibility of any health care provider.
Not being ridden over roughshod and treated as though they are nothing but an unnecessary irritant who should know better.
There is however always the possibility that these medical people who advocate financially penalising highly motivated D patients are in fact correct and those who self test should cease immediately.
I wonder what the financial implications for the NHS would be in about 18 months if we all did that ??
Early detection of possible onset of various problems, teaching themselves about which foods their systems do or do not tolerate. Ingraining in themselves the multi disciplines required to adhere to strict intake regimens.
Exempting, to a large degree, the NHS from actively doing all of the above may not be quantifiable on a clinical test study, it does however deserve recognition as vital and more than necessary, indeed, all those who are self testing at their own expense deserve the thanks of the NHS and indirectly the general public.
ANYONE self testing is an example of self help at a time of worry , giving them the help they need is a fundamental responsibility of any health care provider.
Not being ridden over roughshod and treated as though they are nothing but an unnecessary irritant who should know better.
There is however always the possibility that these medical people who advocate financially penalising highly motivated D patients are in fact correct and those who self test should cease immediately.
I wonder what the financial implications for the NHS would be in about 18 months if we all did that ??
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Bubbsie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Same here happydog...never saw a DSN for almost a year after DX...always dealt with GP for diabetes issues...saw her once... cursory foot check...she .asked about my routine..said I tested up to 6 times a day...I was told that was obsessive...pointed out according to my GP my control was 'excellent'...will continue to test...now I refuse to see her.
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