Dexcom G6 on NHS?

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Jon-Manchester

Jon-Manchester

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I have read up on the criteria for getting a CGM on NHS and I think I could qualify through the number of bs tests I am taking (8-10 per day) due to a lot of driving in my work.

Having read up on the relatively poor accuracy of the Libre, Dexcom G6 seems like a much better choice.
I have done a lot of googling , and there is a lot of contradicting information around whether Dexcom is available on NHS or if it is just the Libre?

Does anyone know ?
thanks
Jon
 
Libre is available under special national criteria, but those criteria are not applied to other continuous sensors.

For those you generally have to make an Individual Funding Request and have (exceptional) circumstances which require full real-time CGM. It’s not impossible, but is unusual outside of a few specialist centres.

As to Libre accuracy... ‘the sensor chooses the person’ as the saying goes. And unless you’ve tried them there’s know way of knowing that you might get terrible results from Dex but pinsharp performance from Libre. Many members here (including me) get very reliable data from Libre sensors. And all continuous sensors are subject to variation from fingerstick BGs.
 
Hi jon,
you will find that some CCG's have a blanket ban on prescribing proper CGM's. Cornwall for instance says no before you even ask. So your best bet is to find out what your CCG's policy is regarding the Dex G6.

I've had it since August and had only two good sensors so not overly impressed but things are improving.
 
Thank you Sue. It was the diabetes nurse that suggested that i get on a CGM, so I am hoping that is a good sign for getting one.
I have an appointment with my consultant in a few weeks time
Just so I can understand (and learn) When you say that you only have had two good sensors,what does that mean? (i.e. how can you tell). Dont they work at all or give you bad readings?
 
Hi Jon,
the sensors have been a bit less than accurate. My personal view is that I would not make a clinical decision on the readings. Dexcom are well aware of the issues though and are rectifying the problem which is a relief. I'm def a lot happier with the Dex than when I first started it.

If you do go for the G6 do make sure that you set the alarm to go off at 5mmol because otherwise you could end up hypo before you know it.
This last month I've managed to be in range 92% of the time with a few day of 100% so very pleased with that. The first 24 hours can be a real pain whilst the sensor sorts it's self out so do be warned.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Many members here (including me) get very reliable data from Libre sensors.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's always worked fine for me too. It differs significantly from test strips as I go outside 3.9-10.0 (or rather, when it says I'm outside that). For example if it says I'm at 17.3 or something then a test strip's likely to say 12.6, but then they're both likely to be less accurate then so I'm not too worried: too high is too high, and the Libre makes it easy to watch as it falls after a correction.
 
Thanks Bruce. Hopefully will I get a Libre on NHS but I am thinking if I don’t get it, I will self fund it. My fingers are hurting
 
I've just been on a DAFNE course and the consultant who came in for the final ,more or less said that he would put all our names on the list for Libre if we wanted it, as he felt that we all had enough knowledge through DAFNE that we would benefit from it. He is known to be a very proactive consultant.
Not sure where in the UK you are Jon, but maybe getting on a DAFNE course or equivalent, if you haven't already, might be beneficial.
 
Hi Barbara,
Now that is very interesting. I have a meeting with my consultant in a couple of weeks, and I have already asked for a DAFNE course but I will remind the consultant again when I see her.
I live in south Manchester..
Many thanks
Jon
 
I really found DAFNE hugely beneficial, but it was extremely intensive. I was knackered at the end of each day, but then I was mucking out 4 horses before and after, so the combination of physical and mental exertion really took it out of me. Just starting to put it into practice this weekend, now I have a little more time to think. Made some really nice acquaintances on the course and some of us are keeping in contact to motivate and support each other, but we also have follow up dates with the educators and there is an online support facility too. The Abbott Rep came in to talk to us about the Libre during the course. Some people already had them but the additional input was helpful as some of what they had been told when they got them had gone over their heads. The Rep explained the criteria and how you might go about making a case for yourself if your consultant was reluctant. Apparently there are new guidelines which include working in an unsanitary environment where hands might be too dirty to finger prick which she thought could be stretched to include me working with my horses, so you may well find DAFNE helpful in respect of making an application for Libre through the NHS. Interestingly, the two people who had them were not using them successfully to prevent hypos because they were scanning and correcting too frequently. The DAFNE course will enable them to now get maximum benefit from them.
 
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