• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Diabetes technology – are you getting what you need?

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.

Bubbsie

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I received this request from The Voices office of DUK
we want to hear about your experience of diabetes technology in our short survey.

I completed the survey, in response to one of the questions 'What would you like to see in the future? this is my reply:

The provision of testing meters/strips to all diabetics (on prescription) for self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) including those non-dependent on hypoglycaemic medications (NDHM).

The recent campaign by DUK on this issue was disappointing, focused mainly on type 1 & 2's dependent on hypo inducing medications.

I base these opinions on my own experiences from my diagnosis onwards; I believe Type 2 NDHMs are treated as the ‘poor relations’ of the diabetes world.

Routinely vilified by tabloid journalists for having type 2 diabetes, repeatedly inferred it is our own fault, 'we brought it on ourselves’ therefore it is somehow well deserved.

We are regularly ridiculed & pilloried by the media, used as scapegoats in discussions regarding NHS funding; often identified as the cause of it's impending bankruptcy we can do little about that without the right support to dispel those myth & untruths.

Given that type 2s form 90% of those with diabetes in the UK (and this figure is expected to rise), when are we going to receive the support that’s so desperately needed?

In apportioning resources, DUK & the NHS (amongst others) must address this lack of proportionality between the 10% of Type 1s and the 90% of Type 2s, particularly those who are NDHM.

Why isn’t DUK campaigning for adequate clinical trials regarding the issue of testing strips for Type 2 NDHMs?

In many cases education courses for type 2 diabetics are oversubscribed, non existent or simply denied.

Seven months after my diagnosis I eventually secured a place on a DESMOND course. It was educational only in that it taught me that current dietary advice and guidance regarding self-monitoring is woefully poor and archaic.

A colleague (also Type 2) was denied a similar course because having been forced to wait 3 years for a place; she no longer qualified as ‘newly diagnosed’.

We are routinely advised not to test and urged to rely instead on quarterly, bi-annually or yearly HbA1c tests. Relying on the advice of our GPs and DSNs in this instance is detrimental to our health.

I would like to see DUK campaign for adequate clinical trials regarding the issue of testing strips for Type 2 NDHMs?

At the very least a standard letter could be produced to support those denied testing strips and wishing to mount a challenge to their GPs/CCGs.

The advocacy pack produced after DUKs recent testing strips campaign is woefully inadequate/ insufficient for NDHM type2 diabetics

This imbalance needs to be addressed


I hope more members are asked to participate in this survey, and will take the time to complete it.
 
Last edited:
Well said, hope all comes to fruition.
 
Well said, hope all comes to fruition.
Thanks Seabreeze...hope more members are asked to complete the survey...give their views...whether or not they concur with mine..so important we all have an input on these issues.
 
I did mine earlier
 
I've done it, obviously as a Libre user, though for the final question did mention the provision of test strips, which is the lowest form of diabetes technology, to all Type 2s as it is in most civilised countries, whether on medication or not. How else are they able to tell when things go wrong ?
 
Well put Bubbsie. I too was told that I am obsessive because I want to test. Put it in the category with "non-compliant"because I won't take statins. 🙂 I have completed the survey.
 
Well put Bubbsie. I too was told that I am obsessive because I want to test. Put it in the category with "non-compliant"because I won't take statins. 🙂 I have completed the survey.
Thanks happydog...tiring how we are labelled for wanting to be included in decisions with our care...I didn't take the statins either...had a discussion with my GP...he wasn't pushy...just said 'declined' on my patient record...hope all those sent the survey complete it...thanks again
 
Well said. It is almost the same thing in Italy especially about the stigma on Type 2. The funding of the health system isn't an hot topic here because the publuc health system bashing here on tabloid is on other topics lokr a&e overcrowding, maggots in the food and cjeating employees.
 
Well said. It is almost the same thing in Italy especially about the stigma on Type 2. The funding of the health system isn't an hot topic here because the publuc health system bashing here on tabloid is on other topics lokr a&e overcrowding, maggots in the food and cjeating employees.
Thank you Mike...ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...maggots in the food...relieved I've had breakfast😱.
 
I have just filled this in. My son is 40 and was diagnosed type 1 at age 6 when we had to use urine tests with tablets and metal syringes. My husband was diagnosed type 1 at age 32 and is now 61. My son has Aspergers and as an adult his control has not been good and had to have a foot amputated last year. he is also severely visually impaired due to retinopathy. My husband keeps very tight control as he does not want to suffer like our son. as a result he is in better health generally. So I have quite a lot of experience in dealing with type 1. I could write a book on what is wrong with care in hospitals and nursing homes - nurses do not receive training in diabetes in their basic training and often are no better than the general public in their understanding. but that is for another day. My current comment is that seeing diabetes (both types) is the biggest cause of blindness, there seems to be very little R &D going into aids for those with visual impairment. In particular, we need better devices for transferring blood drops to test strips.
 
Welcome Baalmaiden keep at it & tell those boys well done. I have been T1 for more than 51yrs & remember 1 needle for about a year & half & Glass syringes 🙂
 
My son has Aspergers and as an adult his control has not been good

Hi. I also have aspergers, and as a result I don't have as good a sugars as others on here. I find I'm particularly susceptible to stress, and if I don't keep careful watch, my sugars will suddenly go high.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top