Change of needles

[Northerner]

Last month the surgery changed my needles from the Novofine 6mm to some cheaper alternative (Braun Omnican 4mm). They didn't consult me first, so I was a bit annoyed, but thought I may as well give the new ones a go if it saves the NHS money. So far they appear to be OK, so haven't kicked up a fuss, except for the fact that they changed me from 200 per request to 100, which they changed when I pointed it out 🙄

However, I just went onto the website to order some new prescription items and noticed that it says that I can't order more needles until 17th April 2020! 😱 Must be some sort of default, I suppose, but obviously not even looking at my previous requirements! 😡 I have sent a suitably sarcastic comment on the new request...

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

It is frustrating when things are changed without consultation - and must cause no end of extra appointments and admin to clear things up.

 

[Northerner]

It is frustrating when things are changed without consultation - and must cause no end of extra appointments and admin to clear things up.

My concern is that, since this is clearly a blanket change for all needle users, the implication is that you should only have 100 needles every 6 months, or approximately 1 every two days (despite the fact that I also got a leaflet explaining the dangers of lipohypertrophy and re-using needles). I'm pretty sure there will be people who will think they have to 'make do' and will not question it

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

My concern is that, since this is clearly a blanket change for all needle users, the implication is that you should only have 100 needles every 6 months, or approximately 1 every two days (despite the fact that I also got a leaflet explaining the dangers of lipohypertrophy and re-using needles). I'm pretty sure there will be people who will think they have to 'make do' and will not question it

Indeed! Blanket changes for everyone with diabetes in a GP surgery are rarely a good idea from the experience of the forum.

The aware/empowered people take up extra time sorting things out (again) and as you say others may just accept that this is now what they have to accept - even though such blanket changes are rarely supported by national guidance / best practice.

 

[DaveB]

Hi. Your surgery sounds pretty silly. My needles were changed to a lower cost brand a few years back but the quantity of 100 wasn't changed and my scripts are monthly online. I can re-order the needles online each month if I wanted to but as I use one per day I order around every 2-3 months.

 

[eggyg]

I use Omnican ( fine) 6mm needles and always have. A few months ago I got a phone call re changing my needles then the caller backtracked and said as I’d used them a long time they would “ allow” me to still have them! I’m now thinking they were calling all needle users to change them to a cheaper brand and then realised I WAS on the cheaper brand and then tried to make out they were doing me a favour! The cheeky blighters! I use three needles a day and order a box of 100 as and when I require them, never had a problem.

 

[Northerner]

Hi. Your surgery sounds pretty silly. My needles were changed to a lower cost brand a few years back but the quantity of 100 wasn't changed and my scripts are monthly online. I can re-order the needles online each month if I wanted to but as I use one per day I order around every 2-3 months.

I'm sure they'll change it, it's just thoughtless whoever decided on a default of one needle every two days 🙄

Oh, and another thing - I got a text asking me to contact the surgery and book a 50 minute appointment for an annual review, but when I went in to try and book they said there were no appointments available and to try again in a week's time 🙄 Given that it would only take about 5 minutes, not 50, and also that it just duplicates what I get done at my 6-monthly diabetes review, including all the blood tests, I've decided to decline. I know it's a box-ticking exercise for which the surgery get a payment, but it's also a waste of appointment time and NHS resources 🙄

 

[trophywench]

I agree entirely, however fact is Alan that GPs get an extra premium for having prime health responsibility overall for diabetics because of the 15 annual checks they are responsible for and the expensive number of things you need constantly. If they don't do that, I'm not entirely sure they can legally claim the dosh. Could make it difficult if you ever want to have repeat prescriptions for stuff you're forever needing!

Until primary and secondary care budgets are co-related - we're stuck with it! TBH although I found this an extreme PITA whilst I was working it's just irksome now. On balance I'd rather be checked up on (healthwise!) by two organisations than none which used to be the case years ago - once they'd been told you were on this or that medication you could order as many repeats as you ever wanted however if you never went to hospital OP appointments - nobody checked up!

 

[Kaylz]

I'm on BD Viva 4mm needles, I've never had any complaints and they come in boxes of 90 and I get 2 when I order, I do use a fresh needle for every injection and also a clean needle to start new cartridges xx