It's A Big Fat No...!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pinky]

Hi there PINKY here...!
I have just got the following letter.....

Dear Mr x
Thank you for your letter and copies of post from the Diabetes uk forum. The difficulty here is that no-one likes to be too rigid about guild lines when there can be some exception. However in general blood glucose testing isn't recommended as it is not not likely to help a great deal in non insulin dependent patients and in some cases it has been found to make things worse.

Conducting all this testing is not sensible if it will not help and further to this ,it is not a good use of NHS resources, which I sure you are aware are not unlimited.

In general, our surgery dose not like to inflict arbitrary decisions on our patients but apply evidence based guidelines.Therefore, we tend to follow advice and locally this come from the PCT. Please find enclosed a copy of the guidance we receive which I think you will agree tends to suggest you would not benefit from blood glucose testing.

I would be very happy to discuss this with you further at the surgery if there is anything else you would like to discuss or clarify.


He also sent two pages of Brighton and hove's N H S guidelines which more or less say's what the NICE guidelines did WELL....!!! I would like to hear from any body living down here in the Brighton and hove area if this is the rule if you do not wish to post then do please e mail me.

In my view when all is said and done what it comes to is money in one set of guild-lines it said that B/G testing can some time improve patients well begin any way that what I got back from my doctor are we all begin too demanding or should I carry on....!!! thanks for reading....PINKY....

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I would ask your GP for a dose of test strips lol.

In general, our surgery dose not like to inflict arbitrary decisions on our patients but apply evidence based guidelines

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi there PINKY here...!
I have just got the following letter.....

Dear Mr x
Thank you for your letter and copies of post from the Diabetes uk forum. The difficulty here is that no-one likes to be too rigid about guild lines when there can be some exception. However in general blood glucose testing isn't recommended as it is not not likely to help a great deal in non insulin dependent patients and in some cases it has been found to make things worse.

Conducting all this testing is not sensible if it will not help and further to this ,it is not a good use of NHS resources, which I sure you are aware are not unlimited.

In general, our surgery dose not like to inflict arbitrary decisions on our patients but apply evidence based guidelines.Therefore, we tend to follow advice and locally this come from the PCT. Please find enclosed a copy of the guidance we receive which I think you will agree tends to suggest you would not benefit from blood glucose testing.

I would be very happy to discuss this with you further at the surgery if there is anything else you would like to discuss or clarify.


He also sent two pages of Brighton and hove's N H S guidelines which more or less say's what the NICE guidelines did WELL....!!! I would like to hear from any body living down here in the Brighton and hove area if this is the rule if you do not wish to post then do please e mail me.

In my view when all is said and done what it comes to is money in one set of guild-lines it said that B/G testing can some time improve patients well being any way that what I got back from my doctor are we all begin too demanding or should I carry on....!!! thanks for reading....PINKY....

How persistent do you feel like being? Sometimes the only way to battle stubborn resistance is by being stubborn yourself.

You could, for example, point out that you personally have never been part of any study into self monitoring of blood glucose, therefore there is no evidence-based data which applies specifically to you as an individual.

If they are saying that the accept that there are 'exceptions' to general guidelines you could point out that, no, you don't agree that self monitoring of blood glucose will not help you (otherwise why would you be asking!). You would, at the very least like to be able to ascertain its effectiveness in your own case.

You appreciate that strips are not without cost, but you also know that 80% of the money spent by the NHS on diabetes goes on treating (largely preventable) complications, and that your preference as a patient would be to use strips intensively for a short period to identify a balanced diet that provides BG levels as near to non-diabetic as is practicable, rather than ending up costing the NHS ?1000's in 5-10 years treating eyes/kidneys/feet problems.

Would they be prepared to supply strips on a trial basis for (say) 6 months and review after that period whether or not improvements to your BG control have been made.

 

[Ellie Jones]

I need a blood transfusion now, mine's boiled away after reading that Letter😡

Me, I would go and see GP, with what Mike suggested...

And if Doc still refuses to play ball, I would tell him that not only are you contacting your MP concerning this but you are also going to speak to the media, and explain that he's refuses to follow the NICE guidelines with providing test strips etc... Hence putting you in the position of not only suffering ill health due to complications in the future, but putting an unneeded burden on the NHS ect...

 

[jalapino]

I need a blood transfusion now, mine's boiled away after reading that Letter😡

Me, I would go and see GP, with what Mike suggested...

And if Doc still refuses to play ball, I would tell him that not only are you contacting your MP concerning this but you are also going to speak to the media, and explain that he's refuses to follow the NICE guidelines with providing test strips etc... Hence putting you in the position of not only suffering ill health due to complications in the future, but putting an unneeded burden on the NHS ect...

I agree with ellie on this one........about time doctors and nurses wake up and smell the coffy beans

 

[cherrypie]

Reading through the reply it would seem that your GP is passing the buck to your PCT.

I would do all that others are saying but would also make out a case by writing to your PCT and asking them to explain why you are being denied the tools to manage your diabetes. This will result in savings for all concerned and your emotional wellbeing and possible complications due to lack of testing will not place a burden on future finances in your area.. You have educated yourself in the use of strips so it will not be a pointless exercise and you are not expecting to get an unlimited supply for the rest of the foreseeable future.

You can find your PCT address here,
http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectorie...itional.aspx?SearchType=PCT&ServiceType=Trust

 

[Andy HB]

Is there any possibility you could self-fund your first pot of test strips?

Then, you will be able to provide the GP with evidence that you're testing responsibly with a set of reasoned actions by yourself. It will also show whether you have any control problem (hopefully not) meaning that self-testing is more advisable.

Doing this and keeping a meal log should give him no leg to stand on regarding your 'suitability' for self-testing.

Good luck,

Andy 🙂