If I change hospital might I lose my pump?

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jd89

jd89

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello!
First of all I am sorry if this is in the wrong part of the forum, but as I'm focusing on my pump I thought this might be the right place?

I moved up to Glasgow from Leicester a few months ago but haven't yet registered with a GP (and hospital) in Scotland yet. I'm worried that if I do this I might not be able to keep my pump (I'm on the omnipod Dash) as it's a different area and I know a lot depends on funding. Does anyone know anything about this? I phoned the GP practice that I would be going to in Glasgow to ask but they said they won't know until I register. So at the moment I am travelling down to Leicester every 3 months to pick up my prescription and visit family!) I'm also not 100% sure if I will stay in Glasgow for more than 18 months (because of my job).
Thirdly, I'm trying to conceive and also understand that I will have to go to a lot more hospital appointments in Leicester when this happens.
I really like the care that I have been receiving in Leicester and I like my current GP. They're literally the best nurse, consultant & GP I have ever had. Also I'm scared to lose the pump if I move. I think I'd really struggle going back to injections.
But I don't know if this is the best idea!
Or is this doable?
 
It’s an interesting question, and I confess I don’t really know.

Scotland has its own healthcare guidance (SIGN) and lots of the funding is different in the devolved nations - though often it seems to be more generous, eg free prescriptions.

Several years back I’d have suggested contacting INPUT, a small specialist charity with lots of experience and knowledge in helping people to access diabetes technology. INPUT have now merged with JDRF, so it may still be worth contacting them?

You might also want to chat to the Diabetes UK helpline advisers (Mon-Fri 9-6) who may know the answer. I will send an email to the Diabetes UK information team to ask if this is something they are aware of.

I know some people in England who choose to drive many miles to get access to a particular clinic/hospital (eg living in Essex, but travelling to one of the specialist centres in London), so some people do make the effort.

As you are looking into pregnancy, I hope you find that you get lots of additional support, including preconception advice. As I understand it women with T1 who are pregnant should be able to access CGM to help with their blood glucose management.

Let us know how things go, and what you decide to do.
 
Thank you! I have not heard of JDRF but will definitely look in to that as I really don't know what to do at the moment..
 
Could you try speaking to the hospital you would be under if you transferred to the care of Glasgow? I would think they could give you a good idea of whether they’d take over the funding @jd89 .

I don’t think it will practicable to travel up and down to Leicester when you conceive personally.
 
I think it may be possible to register as a temporary patient at a surgery much as students do when away from home at Uni.
But not sure if that applies in Scotland.
 
Inka said:
Could you try speaking to the hospital you would be under if you transferred to the care of Glasgow? I would think they could give you a good idea of whether they’d take over the funding @jd89 .

I don’t think it will practicable to travel up and down to Leicester when you conceive personally.
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I agree, I don't really fancy a 6 hr drive each way twice per month but will do it if I have to. I'm currently trying to find the correct number for a diabetes department but underestimated how many hospitals there are in Glasgow!
 
jd89 said:
I agree, I don't really fancy a 6 hr drive each way twice per month but will do it if I have to. I'm currently trying to find the correct number for a diabetes department but underestimated how many hospitals there are in Glasgow!
Click to expand...

I think they might be a bit iffy with that amount of driving regularly. I’d ask in advance so that you’re prepared. Often they recommend compression stocking for long drives as well as stopping and moving about. Ideally you’d have closer care.
 
The diabetes service in Glasgow is changing just at the moment. You will find that the NHS in Scotland is very different. All hospitals are interconnected from the borders to the Hebrides. With regard to Diabetes, when I lived on the Isle of Mull the pump clinic was in Paisley, a minimal two day run. Beats your 6 hour drive!

The diabetic clinic will depend on where in Glasgow you live, north, west, or south. For an overview go to:


The easiest thing to do by far is simply register with a GP and they will guide you to the right clinic. It's rather easier it get Libre and a pump in Scotland, it's not encumbered with CCGs, it all depends on the consultant decision, so don't worry about funding.

Stay in Scotland if you do get pregnant, every mother gets a free baby box with all you need for a newborn, clothing, thermometer, bedding, and more. And the box is ideal for the baby to sleep in.

As I said, the NHS is different in Scotland.
 
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jd89 said:
I agree, I don't really fancy a 6 hr drive each way twice per month but will do it if I have to. I'm currently trying to find the correct number for a diabetes department but underestimated how many hospitals there are in Glasgow!
Click to expand...

Guess is you will need to find gp surgery first then they will allocate hospital for you, if same as in England you have to live within certain distance of gp surgery to register.

Use Dash also, you could order more pods before move & notify them of change of address, it will give you few months to get sorted.
 
I think I am going to go for it and register up here... I would order more pods, except they told me I can't because I've got (just under) 2 boxes left. So hopefully I'll get everything sorted up here before I run out!

If I register now, does anyone know how long it takes before funding from Leicester stops? For example, if I register in Glasgow next week would I be able to order some more pods in 5 weeks time?
 
I reckon you will have to see your new GP to discuss that, but there shouldn't be any problem. As I've said before, NHS Scotland works differently. Funding isn't localised. As you are established with your specific treatment on the authority of a consultant in England, that is likely to be reason to continue at least until you can see a Diabetic consultant in Glasgow to formally approve your treatment. The attitude of NHS Scotland is to give the patient the best treatment for them without constantly worrying about budgets. And you will find the nurses are cheerful and friendly, as are the folk in Glasgow. Nurses are paid more than in England, as are the junior doctors. (Though the nurses are agitating for a higher pay rise).

You will have probably found that more people wear masks in public areas such as shops than they do in England, and it will take you about a year to completely work out the local speech. You will be asked if you've had all your Covid Jags, which isn't a query about what your car is🙂. And you will find that there is not the slightest prejudice against the English, despite what the Daily Mail prints. Booze is more expensive, because it's priced at 50p per unit of alcohol, in addition to the usual tax. And you won't find any cheap offers on multipacks of beers in the Supermarkets for the same reason.
 
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