Prescription hold ups

[embayweather]

I told my GP that I am having increasing problems trying to inject and soon I will not have the strength t do it. They said they would pass it on to the diabetic team ( joke). Three months later still waiting to hear back! Will have to stop taking insulin in the near future through lack of support.

 

[Davecummins]

I saw a specialist a week ago, sent an instruction to the GP to prescribe insulin the same day electronically and my prescription still isn’t ready

I’ve been trying for years to get my T3c dm treatment plan reviewed as the prescribed meds just do not work. A recent scan for something else showed moderate calcification, given higher glucose levels are my only metabolic parameter out of the normal range I pushed to get my treatment properly reviewed. Our practice nurse has no idea and referred me to the community team. They eventually contacted me, by phone, and agreed I need a complete revision of meds. The told me the plan and said the GP would provide the new prescription and advise on usage. I subsequently saw the nurse I presumed to give me the advice but she said this has nothing to do with her and was out of her training remit. I told her about the revised meds and she found the message from the community consultant and said she would alert the GP, I subsequently contacted the practice to advise them I am about to go on holiday and needed the meds as the community team had arranged an appointment on my return from holiday. If they had to instruct me on usage of the meds etc I would need to have the meds for the appointment. Still no action and I go away tomorrow. So you see you are not alone, I feel like giving up but that will just damage me further not them!

 

[IBEX82]

I’ve been trying for years to get my T3c dm treatment plan reviewed as the prescribed meds just do not work. A recent scan for something else showed moderate calcification, given higher glucose levels are my only metabolic parameter out of the normal range I pushed to get my treatment properly reviewed. Our practice nurse has no idea and referred me to the community team. They eventually contacted me, by phone, and agreed I need a complete revision of meds. The told me the plan and said the GP would provide the new prescription and advise on usage. I subsequently saw the nurse I presumed to give me the advice but she said this has nothing to do with her and was out of her training remit. I told her about the revised meds and she found the message from the community consultant and said she would alert the GP, I subsequently contacted the practice to advise them I am about to go on holiday and needed the meds as the community team had arranged an appointment on my return from holiday. If they had to instruct me on usage of the meds etc I would need to have the meds for the appointment. Still no action and I go away tomorrow. So you see you are not alone, I feel like giving up but that will just damage me further not them!

Oh it sounds like a complete shambles at times. I hope your practice manages to get you sorted soon. After phoning for a week straight every day, I eventually got mine sorted. I don’t think they realise how important the medication is for some of us but there seems to be little to no urgency to provide them.

 

[T4Lyn]

I think it's due to general problems with shortages of GPs, nurses, etc. My son has had trouble getting his epilepsy meds over the past few months and the surgery had to phone all the pharmacies in the area to track some down. His medication review last time was just a phone call but no liver function test which lead to his admission to hospital last week with jaundice and gallstones. I fear for our NHS and wonder if it has now been run down to the point of no return?

 

[madistheword]

I’ve been trying for years to get my T3c dm treatment plan reviewed as the prescribed meds just do not work. A recent scan for something else showed moderate calcification, given higher glucose levels are my only metabolic parameter out of the normal range I pushed to get my treatment properly reviewed. Our practice nurse has no idea and referred me to the community team. They eventually contacted me, by phone, and agreed I need a complete revision of meds. The told me the plan and said the GP would provide the new prescription and advise on usage. I subsequently saw the nurse I presumed to give me the advice but she said this has nothing to do with her and was out of her training remit. I told her about the revised meds and she found the message from the community consultant and said she would alert the GP, I subsequently contacted the practice to advise them I am about to go on holiday and needed the meds as the community team had arranged an appointment on my return from holiday. If they had to instruct me on usage of the meds etc I would need to have the meds for the appointment. Still no action and I go away tomorrow. So you see you are not alone, I feel like giving up but that will just damage me further not them!

Please don't give up Dave.X

 

[Bea24]

Thank you all for your input. As of today have heard nothing from community diabetes team, and GP has yet to provide the prescription. If I had the money I would get one from Amazon. May have to go to A & E after all as pen now not working at all so having to rely on Tresiba only for tonight.

 

[Hopeful34]

How about ringing 111?

Hope you can get a new pen asap, it's awful that you've been left with no means of giving your insulin. Make sure to get 2 pens, so you have a back up if one fails. If you can afford to buy a few syringes online, they're useful to have as well.

 

[embayweather]

According to the news today 7000 extra people have died as a result of the quality of diabetic health services. A quick read through this topic adequately explains why.

 

[Bea24]

Good news sort of. My G P sent prescription for a new pen on 26 April to my pharmacy. Bad news they can't find it. Having seen the news report today I just feel like how am I supposed to manage my diabetes properly when the care that I should get from health professionals doesn't exist anymore.

 

[Daibell]

There isn't a supply problem with Novopens. I requested a Novopen 6 to replace my existing pen via the surgery's online system. It was approved the same day. The local chemist had to order it but I now have it. If your surgery needs prodding then do contact the surgery's PPG (Patient Participation Group). I'm on the team for our surgery. Luckily we do have a super Practice Manager who works closely with the PPG.

 

[Bea24]

Finally got my pen!!!!!

 

[SW]

Since I was diagnosed with Type 1 over 30 years ago I have always been under the care of a hospital consultant & their diabetic team. I have a little as possible to do with my GP re diabetic care, as even with a diabetic specialist GP, they are woefully behind on current trends. I can always get any equipment I need from the hospital & would always suggest that's where you go. Having said that last time I needed a new NovoPen my surgery gave me a prescription without a problem.

Just a note re Libre sensors: if one comes off, regardless the reason, I just email Abbott. They are very good at sending a replacement. Sometimes they want the original sent to them (they provide the bag) but if it comes off who's to say the glue wasn't faulty???

 

[Zilsniggy]

There are definitely issues and inconsistencies around dispensing Insulin Pens for people, as there are for getting people on to systems like the Freestyle system. I suspect - but cannot prove - that it is all to do with GP budgets as, if I am correct, these are charged back to the local practice budget and are not always cheap (my eldest son - also T1 - had to buy a Freestyle sensor whilst on holiday after he had his pulled off his arm; the local pharmacy charged £60 for a single sensor...). I noted with dismay that NICE (I'm guessing) have also removed blood testing meter sensors off repeat prescriptions for Type 2 diabetics as well, probably for much the same reason. If ever there was a route to people suffering poor overall control then that has to be up there with the best of them!
As for your isse, then I would revert back to the Hospital where your specialist is and complain there about the lack of availability of a Novopen, and continue to write - and visit in person demanding to see the Practice manager - until this is resolved. Patience and strong persistence in equal measure seems to be the only way to get success in the NHS these days!

If you contact Freestyle they will often supply a free sensor in these cases.

 

[Irelanddave]

Hi
I have been trying to get my GP to give me a new Novopen for 3 weeks without any luck. I take fiasp and my pen has started to stick when dialing in my units. Why does everything to do with managing my diabetes seem to be a battle at the moment?

Hi, I had similar issue a few months ago. I had requested a replacement Novopen 5 via the online prescription service . I received a reply ‘request refused’. I queried it with the practice team who looked into it for me. They found that the Novopen 5 had been discontinued and replaced by Novopen 6. Once issue was identified it was easy enough to resolve.

 

[dancer]

Hi, I had similar issue a few months ago. I had requested a replacement Novopen 5 via the online prescription service . I received a reply ‘request refused’. I queried it with the practice team who looked into it for me. They found that the Novopen 5 had been discontinued and replaced by Novopen 6. Once issue was identified it was easy enough to resolve.

I had a prescription for a new pen refused, a couple of years ago. I use an insulin pump but require a pen for emergencies, if my pump is faulty. I have insulin cartridges on repeat prescription, but my GP said the hospital would have to prescribe the insulin pen. They have prescribed pens before, but refused this time. Funnily enough, at my last annual review, I was handed a new Novopen. Apparently it's now standard practice to do this at the clinic, so perhaps GPs are ignoring the fact that pens may be prescribed and just expect hospitals to issue them.