GP Is Finally Supplying MY Testing Strips On Prescription...

[Bubbsie]

at last...with a cautionary warning that the local Joint Prescribing Committee (CCG) are likely to ask him to justify that decision...if they feel he cannot...then they may ask him to withdraw that 'privilege'.

Anticipating their intervention/interference I have just spent several hours drafting a letter to the CCG Chair, explaining why I believe it is vital testing equipment should be available freely to type 2 diabetics such as me (not dependant on insulin or oral anti-diabetics which could cause a hypoglycaemic episode) who need to test in order to reduce their blood glucose levels... delay/avoid complications... keep themselves fit & well....overall saving the NHS a considerable amount of money.

I feel strongly about this point...and would encourage all those who have had their request for glucose testing equipment on prescription refused...or had the number of testing strips restricted to do similar.

Should any of you wish to follow suite...you can obtain the details of your local CCG from your surgery.

Lets see what response (if any) I receive?

 

[Grannylorraine]

I hope the decision does not get challenged.

 

[Steff]

A priveledge wow 🙄 more like an nessessity , but I do hope the decision is not challanged and the strips took away x.
Maybe this thread should be merged in with Stefans to

 

[grovesy]

How many are you getting prescribed?

 

[khskel]

More good news

 

[Bubbsie]

A priveledge wow 🙄 more like an nessessity , but I do hope the decision is not challanged and the strips took away x.
Maybe this thread should be merged in with Stefans to

Steff the word privilege is in inverted commas...I was being ironic...I don't consider it a privilege by any means...hence the inverted commas.

 

[Bubbsie]

How many are you getting prescribed?

I believe he'll prescribe me the same number I use now...still using the ones I have bought...just need to look up the prescription codes...then speak to him about it.

 

[Bubbsie]

More good news

Thanks Khskel.

 

[Bubbsie]

A priveledge wow 🙄 more like an nessessity , but I do hope the decision is not challanged and the strips took away x.
Maybe this thread should be merged in with Stefans to

Forgot to say I have already responded to Stefans thread...a couple of days ago

 

[Martin Canty]

then they may ask him to withdraw that 'privilege'.

That makes me angry, self management of our condition should be a right.

D's who can self manage will likely avoid many of the complications that diabetes will bring, ultimately saving the NHS & other government agencies countless millions in the long run.

 

[Lindarose]

I think your letter will be well worth sending. Hopefully it will help towards a change in the way testing strips are prescribed (or not). Good work spending time on it Bubbsie.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

I absolutely agree with Martin and really hope you get them on prescription, best of luck!

 

[Diabetes UK]

Great news that these decisions can be overturned by GPs with some persistence. I hope there is no 'intervention' - I am crossing my fingers for you!

 

[trophywench]

Some of the problem always was, that when most were issued with testers and strips on 'automatic' repeat - either because no-one had explained to them or because they couldn't be bothered to test as they didn't know what difference it made (so lack of education again) you'd get the situation where quite a number of these folk had stockpiled the things till they had a houseful, which their kids etc found when clearing the house after they died/went into care etc. Of course if Dr Bloggs asked Mr/Mrs Patient 'Are you testing your BG like I advised you to Mr/Mrs P?' - they'd say 'Yes Doctor, I am' - I mean - they wouldn't want to upset a DOCTOR, now, would they? It was drilled into ALL of us from birth that we had to RESPECT them without question - simply because they ALWAYS know FAR better than you. So eg crying when a medic hurt you doing a jab or examining you - was simply misbehaving very badly indeed, and was dealt with accordingly when they got you outside.

Now - nobody had ANY idea how rife this actually was back then and AFAIK, nobody has now, either, and because they cost such a lot, then obviously it needed to be managed - and no doubt the PCTs told the GPs it needed to be managed - but didn't offer any advice on either what to do or how to do it. Soooooo - Andrew Farmer et al conveniently told all the GPs and everyone else that testing makes you depressed - so actually - it was far better not to encourage it. QED - where we find ourselves today.

If doctors are at least middle aged, I should think they are relieved when someone's been able to educate themselves to the extent you and others have Bubbsie - because surely be comforting to them, that what they learned in Med School wasn't the load of old cobblers everyone's been trying to persuade em it is, for the last however long!

 

[Steff]

Steff the word privilege is in inverted commas...I was being ironic...I don't consider it a privilege by any means...hence the inverted commas.

Hya Bubbsie
Sorry you misunderstood or I didn't type clear I meant the gp putting it to you as a priveledge as if you should be greatful you should be getting them as an nessessity for your diabetes .

 

[Bubbsie]

That makes me angry, self management of our condition should be a right.

D's who can self manage will likely avoid many of the complications that diabetes will bring, ultimately saving the NHS & other government agencies countless millions in the long run.

Martin could not agree more...why do our health care providers refuse to acknowledge that...just so tired of hearing the same old sorry excuses...decided to write directly to the committee that issue those directives.

 

[Bubbsie]

Hya Bubbsie
Sorry you misunderstood or I didn't type clear I meant the gp putting it to you as a priveledge as if you should be greatful you should be getting them as an nessessity for your diabetes .

Think we're both at odds here Steff...he didn't classify it as a privilege...he agreed he would prescribe......we discussed it in detail...he gave me the details of the committee involved...the name of the chair...encouraged me to write to her...said she/they should hear what I had to say... was very honest with me about how these matters are approached...I used the term privilege...just how I felt we are treated (as you say we should be grateful)...something which has been an essential aid in managing my diabetes should be available to me and others in the same position freely and without qualification...no doubt we all agree on that... think we should all write to those committees...collectively...and individually...thank you.

 

[Bubbsie]

Great news that these decisions can be overturned by GPs with some persistence. I hope there is no 'intervention' - I am crossing my fingers for you!

Thank you Hannah...I feel so strongly about this matter...not prepared to sit back and accept decisions which are manifestly unfair...arbitrary...and completely inequitable.

 

[Bubbsie]

I absolutely agree with Martin and really hope you get them on prescription, best of luck!

He is going to prescribe them Lucy...once I have finished the ones I have...just writing to try to head off any suggestion from the CCG that I and others in the same position should not have them on prescription...without any justification for that stance...thank you.

 

[Bubbsie]

I think your letter will be well worth sending. Hopefully it will help towards a change in the way testing strips are prescribed (or not). Good work spending time on it Bubbsie.

Thank you Linda...believe all of us who have/are in the same position should do it...if anyone is minded to follow suite...can supply a copy of my letter if they would find it useful...the letter went this afternoon by email...if I receive no response...a copy will be sent by recorded mail...determined to get an answer from this person/committee.