New to the UK and trying to get pump supplies!

[travisw]

Hello! I just moved to the UK (London) a few weeks ago. I'm 37, diagnosed T1 aged 20. Previously I was living in Germany and I'm currently on an Ypsopump with Libre 3.

I'm trying to go through the process of getting my Libre 3 and pump supplies covered by the NHS. It's very slow. I only have a couple of weeks of supplies left. I finally got a referral to a diabetes specialist at UCL yesterday and my appointment isn't until... the middle of January!

I asked them what I was supposed to do about my supplies until then, and they told me I needed to go back to my GP. But the GP doesn't seem to know anything about T1 diabetes management. He literally asked me "So are you on insulin?" and said he's never really seen anyone on a pump. I got a prescription for the pump cartridges (after some Googling) but he couldn't help with the sensors or infusion sets.

I reckon even when I have my appointment in January it could be a while longer until all the approvals come through (IF they come through... I've read that the UK is behind most other countries in making pumps and CGMs generally available).

So to be honest I'm feeling a bit lost and I was hoping someone here with better knowledge of the system might help provide some guidance. Am I going to have to go back to fingersticks and needles for a while? It's been about 15 years since I've tried that! Or is there another way?

 

[rebrascora]

I believe the pump consumables and Libre 3 sensors have to go through a separate funding system to what can be prescribed by a GP here. Most of us have no significant knowledge of what goes on elsewhere as to how "backward" we are in respect of pumps but funding is limited and is under the control of a sort of regional financing group within the NHS. The system is that if the consultant feels that you would significantly benefit from a pump, then they make an application to that group for the funding and the pump supplies come direct to you from the manufacturer. Most clinics have a limited list of pumps that they sup[port applications for, so it's possible the clinic you have been referred to, do not offer or support Ypsomed pumps. If you are confident and competent in managing the pump yourself, since you have lots of experience with pumping, then they may still be able to apply for funding for your consumables or perhaps have a small separate fund for one off situations like this. I wonder if it might be possible to get a email address for a consultant at the clinic or if the clinic has an emergency helpline that you could ring and leave a message explaining your situation. Not all clinics have a helpline but if you ring the hospital switchboard they will be able to put you through or give you the number if they do have one. I have usually had a call back in a couple of days when I have left a message. They will give priority to the most serious issues, like people needing help avoiding persistent nocturnal hypos etc but it is certainly a route to try to get your situation sorted sooner.

 

[Inka]

Hi @travisw Are you a U.K. citizen? I just ask to get an idea of your status here in the U.K. Frankly, you should have bought a few months supplies with you from Germany as then you would have a buffer while you wait to see if the NHS will cover your pump consumables.

I suggest you contact the Diabetes Department at the hospital to which you’ve been referred and explain your situation.

If you can’t get supplies from Germany, then you might have to see if you can self-fund your pump consumables while you wait to see if you’ll get funding here.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about the hoops you are having to jump through @travisw

Pump contracts are almost only ever organised by hospital clinics in my experience. I’m not even sure they are on the list of prescribable items that GPs can see?

@Pumper_Sue - did you have a way of getting supplies from your GP at one point?

I womder if perhaps you could just have a brief pump-break until your appointments come through and you can be assessed for NHS funding under NICE criteria?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Sorry to hear about the hoops you are having to jump through @travisw

Pump contracts are almost only ever organised by hospital clinics in my experience. I’m not even sure they are on the list of prescribable items that GPs can see?

@Pumper_Sue - did you have a way of getting supplies from your GP at one point?

I womder if perhaps you could just have a brief pump-break until your appointments come through and you can be assessed for NHS funding under NICE criteria?

My GP just wrote a letter to the pump company and confirmed I was self funding under his care. That was years ago though.
NHS funding should be given automatically as the OP is already on a pump.
There are certain sensors that the GP can prescribe so double check which ones.
Also ring the hospital and ask to speak directly to a DSN who deals with pumps and explain your situation. S/he would understand rather than an appointment sectary.

 

[Saoirse]

The gp can prescribe a ‘basic’ libre or dexcom one so you shouldn’t have to fingerprick most of the time - but the loopable cgms require approval. I would second the advise to secure supplies from Germany in the first instance, pump approval may not be straightforward and is unlikely to happen before January.

 

[mashedupmatt]

My GP was able to change my CGM from Libre 2 to a Libre 2+ but as I understand it, that only works with an Omnipod 5 at present (I don't think there is any increase in cost though) - good luck!