Hello
@DJTT1
Different approach - try your Diabetes Nurse instead, start there and see what the process is for approval, I find it difficult to get through to consultants but a nurse is the best starting point, can you call or email them ?
Hi
@DJTT1,
I second what
@Juicyj says above. I assume you're a long term T1 so under your local endo hospital unit. The pump approval process at mine involved various requirements -
a) completion of a DAFNE course - I did mine online during covid.
b) sharing of CGM data with the endo clinic for at least a year. My CGM was self funded for 2+ years and I still self fund it but recently have been given a NHS pump (not HCL).
c) showing the necessary commitment to be able to take the time to maximise the benefits of a pump, but also being seen capable of dealing with the data and complexity overload this can create. This is where an ongoing relationship with your diabetes team is important.
d) expressed strong interest to endo to be considered for a pump and followed up discussion.
e) pump specialist DSN consultation - she prepared pump application
f) Clinic pump approval committee review approved me for a pump. This was 11 mths after the initial application.
HCL is under a 5 year implementation plan. If I cope well with my new stand alone pump, I can expect to be offered an HCL in about 4 years.
Perhaps your more urgent issue is getting regular reviews? 18 months IMHO is too long for a specialist review if you are T1 and not well controlled. (that said, having been given a pump I'm now on annual as opposed to semi annual clinic reviews, though the latter were always only about every 8 months and often online). The specialist nurses' opinions can be key and you should contact them (there should be a helpline) asap to express your concern about the lack of your review status. When was your last blood panel done?
Sadly, the NHS postcode lottery does exist, but do keep engaging with your local healthcare resources.