Another error by GP Surgery

[trophywench]

Ordered a prescription yesterday from the main local prescription ordering service as we can't order them from the GP surgery now and noticed that the first item on my list of repeats which is alphabetical (sort of) being Aviva Accu-Chek BG test strips has been reduced to 100 strips per month. Was always 200. Nobody discussed this with me - and if anything I test more since I've had the Libre than I did before, since it reads lower than my blood - so obviously if it tells me I'm under 4 I have to test BG. In any event the Libre and my Accu-Chek pump do not communicate so the only way it will ever calculate a bolus or correction dose for me is when I've tested my BG - and the Bolus Wizard is contained in the meter/handset, not the pump itself!

I have complained saying nobody has discussed it and asked for it to be increased again but blimey - why on earth would they do this suddenly after 10+ years?

 

[mikeydt1]

i am supposed to take 6 tabs a day so times 7 days 42 tabs but was only given 30. no explanation so telephoned told i had a review. apparently they are looking at trying different ways to reduce what they can at what expense though to the patient.

i told the receptionist that this wouldn't last a week told another script would be done but then didn't get that till the review!

came to the review was done by the pharmacist and not only was she looking at the tablets but everything else in the end got things sorted but why can't they just ring in the first place to arrange the review instead of reducing stuff making tempers fly.

 

[DaveB]

i am supposed to take 6 tabs a day so times 7 days 42 tabs but was only given 30. no explanation so telephoned told i had a review. apparently they are looking at trying different ways to reduce what they can at what expense though to the patient.

i told the receptionist that this wouldn't last a week told another script would be done but then didn't get that till the review!

came to the review was done by the pharmacist and not only was she looking at the tablets but everything else in the end got things sorted but why can't they just ring in the first place to arrange the review instead of reducing stuff making tempers fly.

Any changes in medication are supposed to be agreed between the patient and GP/DN. If this didn't happen I would complain to the Practice Manager and let the surgery PPG group know.

 

[Vonny]

Well you are certainly blessed (not!) by your surgery and GP!

 

[Flutterby]

Hope you soon get it sorted Jenny.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

We’ve had a few errors recently with the right medication but in the wrong form or wrong amount. I think with the combination of covid and the merger of several practices our surgery now has a data entry sort of person doing prescription refills with a GP signing off and some errors are being made because of going for the most common or cheapest option on the computer instead of double checking what the actual prescription says. We’ve had cartridges of novorapid instead of vials (both are on the repeat prescription so an easy mistake to make) and I’ve had the wrong dose of a hormone given that’s for short term use instead of long term. Both have been rectified once the practice was informed but it’s still annoying.

 

[grovesy]

Sometimes change of brands of drugs are recommended by the CCG to the GP surgeries.

 

[JohnWhi]

GP surgeries seem to have something against test strips. A couple of years ago a nurse there told me I was abnormal [the actual words were "rather unusual"] in wanting to test more than twice a day. I had a new type of strip added this month to go with the new insulin pump, and I see the "not more than 100 per month" limit. I imagine this is along the lines of "not more than 28 per month" for a tablet you have to take every day. They must work on lunar months.

 

[trophywench]

@JohnWhi - that used to happen to people constantly but has seemed to have lessened in recent years, 15 years ago I made an appt to see my GP and bored him to death detailing every single occasion I might need to test my BG in an average day ' and obviously if I happen to be ill then I'll need to test more frequently' - and between then and now, it's not happened again. In any event - quick phone call to DSN and she'd happily send the GP a note on hospital letterhead saying I needed at least X per month.

 

[helli]

if anything I test more since I've had the Libre than I did before, since it reads lower than my blood -

That is interesting and the Libre may be why your test strip prescription was reduced.
I was told the justification for my Libre was financial - a Libre costs less than 8 tests a day.

Using an app which allows me to calibrate the Libre against finger pricks means I am more comfortable trusting the Libre so only use test strips when I calibrate or correct. I don't trust the Libre when high or low so need the finger pricker before feeding myself with GlucoTabs or an extra bolus.

 

[trophywench]

Well clearly they don't want me to stay on my pump then Helli !

 

[Annette&Bert]

Ordered a prescription yesterday from the main local prescription ordering service as we can't order them from the GP surgery now and noticed that the first item on my list of repeats which is alphabetical (sort of) being Aviva Accu-Chek BG test strips has been reduced to 100 strips per month. Was always 200. Nobody discussed this with me - and if anything I test more since I've had the Libre than I did before, since it reads lower than my blood - so obviously if it tells me I'm under 4 I have to test BG. In any event the Libre and my Accu-Chek pump do not communicate so the only way it will ever calculate a bolus or correction dose for me is when I've tested my BG - and the Bolus Wizard is contained in the meter/handset, not the pump itself!

I have complained saying nobody has discussed it and asked for it to be increased again but blimey - why on earth would they do this suddenly after 10+ years?

surely 100 test strips would last no time at all. Something has happened recently with my GP surgery but I can still order from them. In the past fortnight, however, I have had to ask why one of my prescrips was’nt sent only to have it the following week. I checked the omission lies with the surgery.

 

[helli]

Well clearly they don't want me to stay on my pump then Helli !

More likely your GP doesn't know how your pump works.
It does seem unusual that it only takes readings from its meter rather than being able to manually enter a value from a CGM or another meter. There again, I only have experience of 3 pumps and they all have their own little foibles. I imagine some are intentional because the designers think it will improve our blood sugar management. Wouldn't surprise me if the blood sugar input feature of yours is intentional to sell (and make money from) the strips.

My DSN has been fantastic in educating my GP when they make assumptions about what needs to be on my prescription to "avoid waste". If you have problems getting your script corrected, I would recommend garnering your DSN's assistance. She will understand how your pump works.

 

[SB2015]

Thanks for the reminder @trophywench . I have changed test kit and so also strips recently so they have dropped me from 500 to 200 again. I had been meaning to call to sort this. Makes no sense reducing this as they just have to do more prescriptions. A quick call has solved it (I hope) and now have all meds on 2 monthly amounts.

I also found that unless the GO specifies the brand to use the pharmacy will just give you whichever version they are given. I have some replacement for one and they are so much bigger and not coated at all. I really struggle to take them each day. Another phone call sorted that and they now specify the brand.

 

[SB2015]

More likely your GP doesn't know how your pump works.
It does seem unusual that it only takes readings from its meter rather than being able to manually enter a value from a CGM or another meter. There again, I only have experience of 3 pumps and they all have their own little foibles. I imagine some are intentional because the designers think it will improve our blood sugar management. Wouldn't surprise me if the blood sugar input feature of yours is intentional to sell (and make money from) the strips.

My DSN has been fantastic in educating my GP when they make assumptions about what needs to be on my prescription to "avoid waste". If you have problems getting your script corrected, I would recommend garnering your DSN's assistance. She will understand how your pump works.

The beauty of this pumps @helli is that once you have tucked your pump away in the morning you don’t need to access it all day. All the features of the pump are managed from the handset. I still miss that having switched pumps, but the other benefits of the closed loop outweigh the inconvenience for me now. I shall still look for that feature on my next change of pump.

 

[helli]

The beauty of this pumps @helli is that once you have tucked your pump away in the morning you don’t need to access it all day. All the features of the pump are managed from the handset. I still miss that having switched pumps, but the other benefits of the closed loop outweigh the inconvenience for me now. I shall still look for that feature on my next change of pump.

I have the same benefit with my pump.
It is controlled entirely by my phone so I don't even have to worry about taking another handset with me.
I guess I still have my finger pricker but for a short trip out, I feel I can cope with just Libre on my phone and a packet of GlucoTabs in my pocket. For a few hours, I'll also take a syringe in case the pump fails.
It's so much better than the days when I had two pens, a bigger meter, a tub of strips, spare needles, sharps container plus the GlucoTabs. And cash ... I now use plastic, especially during the pandemic when I want to touch as little as possible.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Ugh! How infuriating and completely unnecessary @trophywench

And now you have to take up precious and valuable appointment time sorting it out. Bah! 😡

 

[JJay]

My Community Diabetes Team authorised continuation of Libre on prescription on the basis that I would be needing fewer test strips (the more obvious advantage of better control seemed to pass them by completely). I was informed that they would be asking my GP to halve my monthly test strip prescription. Fortunately my GP practice has taken no notice! If this changes, words will be exchanged....