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enforced change of BGM?

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pippaandben

pippaandben

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I have just had my request for a repeat prescription for my Accu-chek mobile cassette refused. The surgery says the decision is not them but the CCG. This happened last year as well when they said I had to put in writing that I was refusing the new meter (which used drums of strips) and the reason why. I have neuropathy affecting my finger tips which means extracting a strip from the container is difficult and manipulating it into their preferred meter usually results in having to throw them away when dropped.

If there have been any others of you that have had this happen to them can you please let me know the best way of retaining the one I have. Is this something that Diabetes UK are aware of.
 
So sorry that you are facing this battle again @pippaandben Looks like you will have to make another needless appointment, in an already over-stretched service. :(

It’s really frustrating when surgeries make blanket changes without taking individual needs into account.

Hope you can get the meter that suits you restored very soon.
 
pippaandben said:
I have just had my request for a repeat prescription for my Accu-chek mobile cassette refused. The surgery says the decision is not them but the CCG. This happened last year as well when they said I had to put in writing that I was refusing the new meter (which used drums of strips) and the reason why. I have neuropathy affecting my finger tips which means extracting a strip from the container is difficult and manipulating it into their preferred meter usually results in having to throw them away when dropped.

If there have been any others of you that have had this happen to them can you please let me know the best way of retaining the one I have. Is this something that Diabetes UK are aware of.
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Hi @pippaandben, There is no reason for them to refuse to supply the test strips for your needs.
Quote "Reasonable adjustment" in your letter and also the disability act. ( I can't remember the actual name for it) I had to have a conversation with my GP about the practice pharmacist deciding it was cheaper to change my steroids over to a different brand, I can not use them as far to small so can't split the dosage when out and about.

There was no problem what so ever when I explained the problem.
 
So far CCG has agreed a prescription but only on a temporary basis. However as they are having problems with the computer link between surgery and pharmacy have to wait til hopefully noon tomorrow to collect it( or therm). Only then will I find out if any repeats are allowed and how many.

Sometimes can't help feeling that hand-written paper and a human walking down and upstairs is a lot quicker as surgery on first floor and pharmacy on ground floor same building!! Anyone know what the procedure is for an appeal to the CCG.as I fear that is where I am heading?
 
I guess the first thing to establish is whether it actually is the CCG, or whether it’s a surgery-level decision that the are blaming on the CCG (a bit like when I get told that there’s a “manufacturing problem” when I’m collecting prescription... and 9 times out of 10 it’s a wholesaler/warehouse/distributor foul up and nothing to do with manufacturing at all).

Have you seen anything in writing from the CCG?

I don’t know whether this page would give you some pointers?
www.continuing-healthcare.co.uk

How Do I Appeal An NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding Decision? • Continuing Healthcare

Appealing an NHS continuing healthcare decision can be time consuming (people can wait for months, or even years) and very distressing for individuals and their families.
www.continuing-healthcare.co.uk www.continuing-healthcare.co.uk

But if nothing else, a good first step is probably the CCG website and a phone call or two to check their BG meter policy, if they have one.

You could also get in contact with PALS https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-qu...t-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/
 
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everydayupsanddowns said:
I think it’s called The Equalities Act this week.
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Just looked it up and it's called Equality act 2010. 🙂

All that has to be done by OP is to go to her GP explain the reason and all the GP has to do is put them back on prescription with a certain code next to the item on her medical records.
That's all my GP did when I saw him regarding my hydrocortisone tablets and they cost a lot more than test strips :(
 
Just contacted CCG and it seems it might be a surgery decision!!!! They have confirmed that the accu-chek mobile IS on their preferred list and no reason not to fulfil request. As I was through to the prescription team they were pretty certain that they had not had any contact with my surgery yesterday over the matter. They are contacting them this morning and the CCG will report back to me on what is going on.
Definitely I would advise anyone refused items cos "the CCG say so " to double check with them yourself. I found them very approachable and understanding in dealing with me.
 
Have now had very full eedback from CCG - who are spitting feathers to put it mildly! Even the practice pharmacist did not know that a team of 2-3 people were brought in to examine the medications of all diabetics in the practice and change their medications. This was done with no patient being notified or even reception staff who initially have to ear the brunt of it.! The CCG are extremely happy with Accu-chek and in particular the mobile version due to their customer care attitude .
The CCG are now in the process of attempting to get the surgery to identify all patients affected and to give them "a sharp talking to". I stressed to the CCG that the diabetic nurse - who also had not been told - was a great support and the best staff member in the practice and was surprised to be told that they know of her and agree that she is a wonderful diabetes nurse.
I have told the pharmacy under and they are now checking with CCG themselves as they have also noticed changes to many prescriptions for inhalers as well. Many thanks to everydayupsanddowns for flagging up that it might not be the CCG at fault.
 
The practice pharmacist didn't know? That sounds utterly insane. One wonders what the rest of the practice is like if they do this in such a bizarre way. (Even if reviewing all diabetes medications is sensible, you'd surely want the practice pharmacist to at least know.)
 
Where did these 2-3 people come from? You say they were brought in, but by whom?
 
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