Test Strips - Complaint Response from the Dept of Health

[JenniB]

Well done Steve!

I wonder if when type 2 patients discuss this issue with their gp, and their request for test strips is refused, what would the doctors response be when you tell him/her the following:

'As I have put across to you the importance to me in having test strips to help monitor and control my diabetes effectively, and without the possibility of future complications. There by, your refusal to issue these on prescription to help me to self-manage my condition, I can hold you personally responsible for any problems that I may incur in the future due to unstable diabetes control'. Make sure that you tell them that you will be putting this in writing, keeping copies for yourself and your family.

I am sure that many other intellectual members that are type 2 can put across a more worthy example than the one I have wrote here, perhaps you could all get together and write a letter together with words to that effect, where by other type 2's who are refused test strips can use this to argue their case.

Just a thought I had, but may be worth considering.

Regards

Nigel

Hi
Love this idea and also someone else's who said we should all sign a petition and send it to Health Dept and QCC. I can't start this up folks as I am brand new to T2 and still struggling to know what a strip is and an Accu tester, so feel I have too much to learn at the moment but if anyone else out there starts one I will happily sign.

 

[JenniB]

Hiya Jan
Im type 2 on 2x 80mg Gliclazide a day, I live in Featherstone so also come under (Location removed) , I too have been told that I do not need a monitor contrarary to what the Diabetes nurse said at my DESMOND course, especially as I perform safety critical duties as part of my work. According to (HCP name removed)(the Diabetes nurse) its all because of cost, what is n't nowadays :roll: :roll: , it just seems they will give any excuse not to prescribe monitors or strips (It makes you depressed etc etc), surely we diabetics should be issued with all the equipment we need to help us control our illness. When all said and done you would not expect anyone with a broken leg not to have access to crutches!. :!: :!:

LOL - so true and I absolutely agree.

 

[JenniB]

LOL so true - I absolutely agree. I've only just had T2 diagnosis and asked Dr if I needed something to inject myself with or measure my blood and sugar levels. He said No, just wear trainers and quality slippers with a soft, thick base and lose weight, exercise (difficult since he is treating me for total lack of energy and shortness of breath)! I asked the nurse same question a week later at my appointment and she towed the surgery's party line. Now I discover I probably do need them. It is shocking that we are not being given the correct information or tools (equipment) to deal with our diabetis and I feel this is all part of the medical profession looking down on us as we have something 'self inflicted'. What about joggers, when they go to A&E with sprained whatever bits of body no one says 'self inflicted' - they get treatment, and crutches, plaster, bandages etc. I am really cross about it all and society is being socialised into this attitude of some people not deserving help - smokers, overweight people, diabetics etc. Yet the government will happily take money from the greedy food companies who are blatently advertising their unhealthy, diabetis causing food. Sorry about the rant and any lack of coherence but it's been a long, long day. Goodnight all

 

[noblehead]

Hi
Love this idea and also someone else's who said we should all sign a petition and send it to Health Dept and QCC. I can't start this up folks as I am brand new to T2 and still struggling to know what a strip is and an Accu tester, so feel I have too much to learn at the moment but if anyone else out there starts one I will happily sign.

Hi @JenniB,

This is quite an old thread now and some of the members who have contributed to it no longer post here, but there have been petitions before which have unfortunately failed to reach the required signatures.

Best wishes.

 

[bluejeans98]

Typical NHS diagnosis of your Diabetes. Good morning. your test results have come back. your diabetic. Then tumble weeds blow through the consulting room. Next!!!!!!!!!!!!!