Diabetes Talking

Question:

From the May-June issue of Balance. RESTRICTIONS RULED OUT OF ORDER Lord Harrison, a Labour peer and Diabetes UK supporter, raised concerns about the problem of blood glucose testing strip restriction in a House of Lords debate in March. People with diabetes have been experiencing difficulties obtaining strips on

prescription, seemingly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – as a result of primary care trusts (PCT’s) and GPs either misinterpreting government guidance on blood testing or attempting to save money with little regard for what it means for people with diabetes. Baroness Andrews, representing the Government, spoke of the importance of blood glucose testing as a part of programme of self-management and self care and said : "Any PCT that tries to discourage doctors from recommending the use of blood testing is, in fact, acting contrary to guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence on this matter and, indeed contrary to the most recent statements of the National Clinical Director for Diabetes". Benet Middleton, Acting Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, told Balance: "We are delighted this issue has been clarified by the Government. People with diabetes have the right to be prescribed the number of test strips they need to support management of their diabetes and should be provided with the education to enable them to make appropriate lifestyle choices". Diabetes UK will continue working to ensure that the current restrictions are lifted. Yeay!! Cheltenham was one of the areas that has put restrictions of the prescribing of blood testing strips and I have written several letter to the local PCT saying that I thought that it was an appalling idea and detrimental to the health of all people with diabetes. They did say that this restriction was "mainly" to apply to those with type 2 diabetes, which in my opinion is still quite wrong, but people with type 1 diabetes were being affected and in some cases and made to feel "greedy" by asking for more that a certain allowance of strips. I attended several meeting where the restrictions of testing strips were discussed and "justified" by a local GP who sits on the PCT and is the doctor in his practice that deals with patients with diabetes. Hopefully with the help of Diabetes UK the situation will be put right. As I have recently become quite concerned that strip rationing might effect us as we do find that we need to test Sasha as least 6 or 7 times a day.

Good find, Jackie. Worth printing out and sticking under the noses of doctors who want to argue.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From the May-June issue of Balance. RESTRICTIONS RULED OUT OF ORDER Lord Harrison, a Labour peer and Diabetes UK supporter, raised concerns about the problem of blood glucose testing strip restriction in a House of Lords debate in March. People with diabetes have been experiencing difficulties obtaining strips on prescription, seemingly as a result of primary care trusts (PCT’s) and GPs either misinterpreting government guidance on blood testing or attempting to save money with little regard for what it means for people with diabetes. Baroness Andrews, representing the Government, spoke of the importance of blood glucose testing as a part of programme of self-management and self care and said : "Any PCT that tries to discourage doctors from recommending the use of blood testing is, in fact, acting contrary to guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence on this matter and, indeed contrary to the most recent statements of the National Clinical Director for Diabetes". Benet Middleton, Acting Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, told Balance: "We are delighted this issue has been clarified by the Government. People with diabetes have the right to be prescribed the number of test strips they need to support management of their diabetes and should be provided with the education to enable them to make appropriate lifestyle choices". Diabetes UK will continue working to ensure that the current restrictions are lifted. Yeay!! Cheltenham was one of the areas that has put restrictions of the prescribing of blood testing strips and I have written several letter to the local PCT saying that I thought that it was an appalling idea and detrimental to the health of all people with diabetes. They did say that this restriction was "mainly" to apply to those with type 2 diabetes, which in my opinion is still quite wrong, but people with type 1 diabetes were being affected and in some cases and made to feel "greedy" by asking for more that a certain allowance of strips. I attended several meeting where the restrictions of testing strips were discussed and "justified" by a local GP who sits on the PCT and is the doctor in his practice that deals with patients with diabetes. Hopefully with the help of Diabetes UK the situation will be put right. As I have recently become quite concerned that strip rationing might effect us as we do find that we need to test Sasha as least 6 or 7 times a day. Jackie J Mum of Sasha

o/ Excellent stuff! Think I might be waving a copy of this under the nose of my diabetes nurse on tuesday… Hope that you now don’t have any trouble with getting enough strips for Sasha. How many does the doc give you a prescription for at a time? Mine is still only giving me 50 at a time, and I also test 6-7 times a day. I am now on first name terms with the receptionist at the GP, and also the local pharmacist… Steve.

Response:

i was lucky in that my GP prescribes 100 strips on repeat prescriptions. i don’t know if this is the norm for my area though. it may be that she has other reasons for allowing me no limit. i am in the medical profession myself. it’s not because she thought my reasons for testing so often was especially valid. she didn’t. she said testing every couple of days was enough! coreen — type 2, Dx 22/3/04; gliclazide 40mg BD; BG 35 on Dx; 11st 3 on Dx, 11st currently

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Excellent stuff! Think I might be waving a copy of this under the nose of my diabetes nurse on tuesday… Hope that you now don’t have any trouble with getting enough strips for Sasha. How many does the doc give you a prescription for at a time? Mine is still only giving me 50 at a time, and I also test 6-7 times a day. I am now on first name terms with the receptionist at the GP, and also the local pharmacist… Steve. Our GP gives us four boxes of strips a month One Touch Ultra. I was very concerned that this would be restricted though. Here is another article from DUK web site that highlights the problems. It make you realise how poorly understood diabetes care is by some of the medical profession.. http://www.diabetes.org.uk/infocentre/reports/BG_restrictions.doc Jackie Mum of Sasha aged 9

Response:

Excellent stuff! Think I might be waving a copy of this under the nose of my diabetes nurse on tuesday… Hope that you now don’t have any trouble with getting enough strips for Sasha. How many does the doc give you a prescription for at a time? Mine is still only giving me 50 at a time, and I also test 6-7 times a day. I am now on first name terms with the receptionist at the GP, and also the local pharmacist… Steve.

Our GP gives us four boxes of strips a month One Touch Ultra. I was very concerned that this would be restricted though. Here is another article from DUK web site that highlights the problems. It make you realise how poorly understood diabetes care is by some of the medical profession.. http://www.diabetes.org.uk/infocentre/reports/BG_restrictions.doc Jackie Mum of Sasha aged 9

Response:

When I registered with a new GP I was told they only prescribed 100 test stripes at a time! So I turned round and said if that was the case please discontinue my insulin and needles as they weren’t needed any more. The Dr looked at me in amazement and wanted an explanation so I told him I had no intention of injection insulin if I had no idea what my blood sugar was as I had no suicidal tendencies. I am issued with 200 stripes prn Sue type1 for 39 yrs

Response:

From the May-June issue of Balance. RESTRICTIONS RULED OUT OF ORDER Lord Harrison, a Labour peer and Diabetes UK supporter, raised Jackie J Mum of Sasha

Full text on Hansard: (Link wraps) http://www.parliament.the-stationery- office.co.uk/pa/ld199697/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds04/text/40303-01.htm — Chris Quinn T2 D&E dx March 04

Response:

When I registered with a new GP I was told they only prescribed 100 test stripes at a time! So I turned round and said if that was the case please discontinue my insulin and needles as they weren’t needed any more. The Dr looked at me in amazement and wanted an explanation so I told him I had no intention of injection insulin if I had no idea what my blood sugar was as I had no suicidal tendencies. I am issued with 200 stripes prn Sue type1 for 39 yrs

You used that too .. i threw all this and more at my GP and it took a letter from the endocrinologist to sort him out:) End result 200 strips and anything else i want when i want it.

Response:

Thanks for that Chris.  I have printed out a copy. Jackie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Full text on Hansard: (Link wraps) http://www.parliament.the-stationery- office.co.uk/pa/ld199697/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds04/text/40303-01.htm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for that Chris.  I have printed out a copy. Jackie Full text on Hansard: (Link wraps) http://www.parliament.the-stationery- office.co.uk/pa/ld199697/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds04/text/40303-01.htm

So have I – I think Hansard may have a bit more clout than the Diabetes UK magazine! — Chris Quinn T2 D&E dx March 04

Response:

Ah well I have to do battle when needed on my own as I have not seen an endo for over 20 years regarding my diabetes. As far as I am concerned my diabetes is out of bounds regarding the medical profession. I found out a long time ago I stay healthier if I stay away from hospitals and so called diabetes specialists. I see an endo once a year regarding my addison’s disease but my diabetes is not up for discussion and my wish is respected. Can’t be doing to badly as no complications after 39 years of being type1. Sue

You do get your eyes tested etc though don’t you?

Response:

Ah well I have to do battle when needed on my own as I have not seen an endo for over 20 years regarding my diabetes. As far as I am concerned my diabetes is out of bounds regarding the medical profession. I found out a long time ago I stay healthier if I stay away from hospitals and so called diabetes specialists. I see an endo once a year regarding my addison’s disease but my diabetes is not up for discussion  and my wish is respected. Can’t be doing to badly as no complications after 39 years of being type1. Sue

Response:

Yes eyes are tested every year without fail. A1c is done every 3 months by gp. He says it’s a pity more people don’t take control and learn to look after themselves in a positive manner. After being over dosed x4 with insulin by an endo given the wrong insulin even though the hospital knew what insulin I took and which ones I can not tolerate lied to as to what went wrong and why. I lost faith in the medical profession many years ago. All this was caused by a simple appendix operation and appalling follow up diabetes care. I do not do hospitals for anything and refuse point blank to go anywhere near a diabetes clinic. After reading many boards/sites regarding all the problems people have with their diabetes, endo’s, health care workers etc I came to the conclusion I was a lot happier and healthier then everyone else. Sue type 1 for 39 years complication free

Response:

From the May-June issue of Balance. RESTRICTIONS RULED OUT OF ORDER Lord Harrison, a Labour peer and Diabetes UK supporter, raised concerns about the problem of blood glucose testing strip restriction in a House of Lords debate in March. People with diabetes have been experiencing difficulties obtaining strips on prescription, seemingly as a result of primary care trusts (PCT’s) and GPs either misinterpreting government guidance on blood testing or attempting to save money with little regard for what it means for people with diabetes. Baroness Andrews, representing the Government, spoke of the importance of blood glucose testing as a part of programme of self-management and self care and said : "Any PCT that tries to discourage doctors from recommending the use of blood testing is, in fact, acting contrary to guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence on this matter and, indeed contrary to the most recent statements of the National Clinical Director for Diabetes". Benet Middleton, Acting Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, told Balance: "We are delighted this issue has been clarified by the Government. People with diabetes have the right to be prescribed the number of test strips they need to support management of their diabetes and should be provided with the education to enable them to make appropriate lifestyle choices". Diabetes UK will continue working to ensure that the current restrictions are lifted. Yeay!! Cheltenham was one of the areas that has put restrictions of the prescribing of blood testing strips and I have written several letter to the local PCT saying that I thought that it was an appalling idea and detrimental to the health of all people with diabetes. They did say that this restriction was "mainly" to apply to those with type 2 diabetes, which in my opinion is still quite wrong, but people with type 1 diabetes were being affected and in some cases and made to feel "greedy" by asking for more that a certain allowance of strips. I attended several meeting where the restrictions of testing strips were discussed and "justified" by a local GP who sits on the PCT and is the doctor in his practice that deals with patients with diabetes. Hopefully with the help of Diabetes UK the situation will be put right. As I have recently become quite concerned that strip rationing might effect us as we do find that we need to test Sasha as least 6 or 7 times a day. Jackie J Mum of Sasha

Response: