Got my NHS prescription for Libre!

scorpius14

Well-Known Member
Messages
51
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I have no interest in them because last time i tested was like months ago and gotten into the habit of not testing, however other solutions have become available such as the sensor that is implanted under the skin which has been approved under the NHS but unsure when the full rollout will be - as its much less invasive and no finger pricking and seems to be more viable than the libre and potentially cheaper. all you need is a scan device not sure if a phone or their own device is used
 

barrym

Well-Known Member
Messages
800
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I presume you are referring to the Eversense implant. Lasts 90 days. But AFAIK it tests using the same interstitial fluid as the libre. The only way it would be "more accurate" is if their algorithm is smarter.

See my post of limited comparisons against diabetes:m's scanning software which is closer to my meter than the Libre's.

Edit: Are they actually available now? My DSN went to a presentation last week, but she didn't say it was available yet.

I'm still lusting after Epic Health app that just uses an app which scans your fingers detecting BG from other markers. Sounds to good to be true and probably is.
 
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karen8967

Master
Messages
10,330
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
just got bk from my drs asked if he would prescribe me the libre sensors and he said he would have to put my request to the practises management team and il have my answer within the next few days but reading between the lines i doubt it :banghead::banghead:
 

TheBigNewt

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,167
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I presume you are referring to the Eversense implant. Lasts 90 days. But AFAIK it tests using the same interstitial fluid as the libre. The only way it would be "more accurate" is if their algorithm is smarter.
That would be cool especially if you could put it in and didn't have to remove it every time (maybe it could dissolve??). If you did that would be 2 opportunities for infection/device every 90 days (one in, one out) although the removal site would be a lot less than the insertion site (no foreign body).
 

Bud1979

Well-Known Member
Messages
55
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hello does any one have any info regarding the libre system prescription in Glasgow yet ?
 

Evette70

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I spoke to my nurse last week and she said that in West Berkshire they definitely wern't available on the NHS and she didn't think it would be any time soon. She said it would cripple the NHS
 

Scott-C

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,474
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hello does any one have any info regarding the libre system prescription in Glasgow yet ?

Ipag have some stuff about the Scottish side of it on their website:
http://www.ipag.co.uk/abbott-freestyle-libre-available-on-the-nhs/

And a useful page reporting on developments in each health board area:
http://www.ipag.co.uk/abbott-freestyle-libre-prescribing-around-scotland/

Have no way of verifying most of it, but the bit about NHS Forth Valley looks quite upbeat with reports of ten people being funded.

All the rest just seem to be considering it.
 

kev-w

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,901
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I found out about the NHS roll out (lol) from the diabetes UK site on Facebook, 'We've done it' read their headline, I was moderated when I questioned them :) but anyway, here in the Vale of York CCG, we're not getting them, my consultant says I'd meet the criteria, but I can't have one.

I've put a complaint in thru PALS and am currently b**laching the CCG on Twitter, but they don't reply....

Edit, the CCG do reply -
  1. me_edit__Small__bigger.JPG
    Kev Wilson‏@KevWilson7 Nov 14

  1. Kev Wilson Retweeted NHS Vale of York CCG
  2. Stilll waiting to hear what the local CCG is doing with regards the freestyle libre prescription? other ccgs seem to have approved it and respond to peoples tweets, why haven't you?https://twitter.com/ValeofYorkCCG/status/930384313685893120…
  3. Kev Wilson added,
  4. DOgVkAqXcAArpL_.jpg

    NHS Vale of York CCG@ValeofYorkCCG
    Need information about #diabetes services in the Vale of York area? Visit http://yourdiabetes.org.uk. #WorldDiabetesDay pic.twitter.com/hUsDsrZ9Du
  5. 1 reply . 0 retweets 0 likes



Dr Andrew Phillips‏@DrAPhillipsVOY Nov 17


Replying to @KevWilson7
The new technology is under consideration and a final commissioning decision is expected later in the year. Thank you

1:27 am - 17 Nov 2017
 
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Books1

Well-Known Member
Messages
153
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I only use the phone app and it starts the sensor no problem.

F
 

tim2000s

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
8,934
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Other
Eversense has been broadened to "up to 180 days". They're trialling it through Kings College London and UCLH, but it won't be properly available until 2018. The issue is that it involves a small surgical procedure for removal of the sensor, and that means it has to be done in a hospital/surgery.
 

Fearless36

Well-Known Member
Messages
112
Afraid in North-West London, no doctors surgeries are providing this despite the NHS regulations. This is annoying to me, and I can't wait for this to change, but it may be some time. I've heard other boroughs are also not supplying this. Shame really as it definitely helped with my hype awareness being non-existent, but I did find the device a little confusing at times. Three times it registered me as having Low blood sugar, but my blood tests at the time were 5.5. I tested again 20, 40 and 60 minutes after and the device too and the device kept saying I was Low. So I'm not sure how accurate it is but having said that, just scanning my arm was easier than trying to constantly prick my fingers. Having said that, I saw the Prime Minister was photographed wearing one, and there were all sorts of strange theories - it was an alien device etc. I was like really people? In this day and age you think our PM would be having a device to contact the aliens with in broad daylight. Too funny.
 

chaste

Member
Messages
19
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hello all, Surrey checking in with good news bad news;

Good news:
The head of my practice sits on the local clinical commissioning group and they have agreed to funding in my area ( in line with the RMOC position statement nov 17). My GP said yes, happy to prescribe as I met their criteria and will give 2 months worth i.e. 4 sensors.
Bad news: GP was unable to write a script because the item doesn't come up when they start typing libre sensor in the box.
No problem says I, will get back to you with a pip code and then you can prescribe with no chance of making a mistake.
So I try Abbot, my Pharmacy & my hospital and no one can give me a pip code ! Abbot rep. says yes it's been agreed (for inclusion?) but hasn't been ratified yet and that's expected to be done by mid December and the sensors won't have a pip code anyway because they only available from Abbot Labs.
Good news:
My pharmacy (a national chain) had to create an account with Abbot as this item won't be available through any wholesaler; one week on and the pharmacy call back to say an account is set up and they can now order the sensors.

Bad news: I need more sensors, do I go back to GP and say can I have a hand written script please?

Or continue to self fund for the rest of the year and come back in 2018 hoping for an update on getting the bloomin' sensors on NHS?

Any thoughts?
 
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ringi

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,365
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Can you get your pharmacy to request the repeat prescription from the GP?

(Would also be worth keeping a photocopy of the prescription.)
 

cassie091

Active Member
Messages
39
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I live in Cumbria and have no idea whether that health authority has approved the Freestyle Libre. I am a pensioner with some savings that I am using to self-fund the sensors. Don't want to be without them. At least I know what my blood sugars are doing and can take the required action whereas with a finger prick test you have no idea whether they are rising or falling or at what rate. have an appointment with GP on 27th and will put my case to him. Fingers crossed! Certainly with this device I feel safer than I ever have. Not bad after nearly 60 years on insulin. Diabetes nurse at hospital told me they are being prescribed in Wales. Maybe I should move there.
 

chaste

Member
Messages
19
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Maybe I should mention that I've been self funding the sensors for over a year and not jumping on the libre bandwagon!
 

Mossleyman

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I live in Northern Ireland and my Diabetes specialist Doctor at my Hospital clinic has recommended me for the Libre Monitor to my GP. Now I am waiting to see if he will grant this
 

emmay

Well-Known Member
Messages
69
Type of diabetes
Type 1
There was a post last week by Spookie13 who'd managed to get one:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/freestyle-libre-pharmacy-trouble.129072/#post-1613778

I'm obviously pretty keen on getting them for free, so don't want to rain on the parade any, but I wonder whether the ccgs for the areas involved will pull the docs up and say, oy, mate, we've not approved it for this area yet so stop prescribing them.

Interesting times.
Hi @scott-Cthat is exactly what has happened to me, I was literally about to book an appointment to go have a chat with them and got a blanket letter saying they are looking into and a decision will not be made till April next year. Am gutted but to be fair didn’t expect anything more. I am still thinking of seeing my doctor as he wanted to put me in a pump when I last saw him so might talk him into the Libre instead, fingers crossed
 

Scott-C

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,474
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Certainly with this device I feel safer than I ever have. Not bad after nearly 60 years on insulin.

Brilliant post, Cassie! Sums it up in a nutshell.

The docs are just busy looking at a1c, which is a rough tool, which has none of the extra information which libre's agp provides (actually, I take that back - I think a lot of docs are well aware of how much more an agp provides, and it's just a case of persuading the funders that it's worthwhile), but on top of that, there is, as you correctly say, the day to day aspect, for us as T1s, not the docs, of feeling safer, because we can see what's happening in more or less real time and deal with it before something nasty happens.

That improved quality of life aspect which it provides is so important to us, and it often doesn't come across strongly enough in technical reports.

Respect too for you having racked up 60 years of it. I'm a mere beginner with only 30 years of T1 so have a bit of catching up to do! Heck, you've been T1 for 10 years longer than I've been alive, respect.

I think posts like yours are very encouraging for newly dx'd - newbies often, understandably, think, oh, I'm T1, my life is over - , but just hearing from people like you who've been doing this for decades and are still saying, come on, bring it, I'll handle it, are very encouraging.
 

dicksear

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Woohoo! So happy. Went to doctors this morning and I showed him my Libre and explained how much it has helped with glucose control and that it is now on the NHS. He said immediately that he is happy to prescribe it for me and he is all for new technology if it helps people. It isn't on the computer system though yet so he said he will do a handwritten script for it which I can pick up on Monday (for some reason they can't do handwritten prescriptions on a Saturday). Wondered has anyone else had success yet?

Northampton (Nene) CCG has, according to my GP made them double red, so no go. Raised a complaint with CCG pointing out short sighted decision affecting quality of life etc. Now going through their complaints process, decision end December, not holding too much hope but best to keep pressing them.