Prime Minister and the Libre

[Jo_the_boat]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5242733/Diabetics-denied-access-life-changing-monitor.html

"A Department of Health spokesman said the device is ‘available for prescribing’, and that guidance has been issued, ‘suggesting a careful start to its use and data collection to better understand the benefits’."

In other words Gps, don't use up your budget.
Is it fair to say that the PM is a good role model for T1s leading a full, busy life? (whatever you think of her politics.)
There's also a comment at the bottom that says refills work out at a fiver per day?? Sounds a lot.

 

[tim2000s]

@Jo_the_milkmaid - Someone clearly can't do their maths. On the NHS tariff, the sensors cost £2.50 per day, or slightly more than 8 testing strips of the Aviva or Acsensia types.

On the "Buy it yourself" tariff, they cost £3.36, so no idea where the fiver a day comes from.

 

[Tony337]

So does the PM use the Libre?
Tony

 

[Books1]

She was photographed with libre on her arm some time ago.
F

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

She was photographed with libre on her arm some time ago.
F

More than once, so not just a try it and see.

I'm actually a bit scared of the way the NHS is going, there seems to be no let up. I recently saw my GP about a cyst on the back of my head that in the last six months had doubled in size and was beginning to bother me as it felt swollen and I could not sleep flat with the back of my head on the pillow. Not life threatening but I would have preferred sleeping on my back rather than sleeping on my side and waking up with back ache.

No referral to an NHS consultant (no funds), but more than happy to refer me privately. This consultant suggested removal straight away because, in his words, "they can get very messy if they burst, especially if there are blood vessels involved". He did remove it and there was a blood vessel that had to be dealt with, took 15 minutes and cost an arm and a leg which the insurers are now quibbling over because they reckon it was cosmetic.

Just looking at the surgical postponements this month (surely they have a knock on effects?), ambulance queues waiting to get very ill patients into A&E makes me feel like we're in a war zone or third world country.

As much as I would love to see the Freestyle Libre available to those that would benefit, I'm not holding my breath, TM's use won't change anything.

 

[dbr10]

More than once, so not just a try it and see.

I'm actually a bit scared of the way the NHS is going, there seems to be no let up. I recently saw my GP about a cyst on the back of my head that in the last six months had doubled in size and was beginning to bother me as it felt swollen and I could not sleep flat with the back of my head on the pillow. Not life threatening but I would have preferred sleeping on my back rather than sleeping on my side and waking up with back ache.

No referral to an NHS consultant (no funds), but more than happy to refer me privately. This consultant suggested removal straight away because, in his words, "they can get very messy if they burst, especially if there are blood vessels involved". He did remove it and there was a blood vessel that had to be dealt with, took 15 minutes and cost an arm and a leg which the insurers are now quibbling over because they reckon it was cosmetic.

Just looking at the surgical postponements this month (surely they have a knock on effects?), ambulance queues waiting to get very ill patients into A&E makes me feel like we're in a war zone or third world country.

As much as I would love to see the Freestyle Libre available to those that would benefit, I'm not holding my breath, TM's use won't change anything.

I'm surprised the we can't afford it mantra took hold so easily. Government is using Austerity as the excuse for reducing the size if the State as a proportion of GDP. There was never any economic basis for it. It was a political choice to hurt the poor. A growing economy reduces deficits; a slowing economy increases them. The recent increase to NHS funding in the budget was a sticking plaster. Social care continues to be cut.

 

[Boo1979]

She was photographed with libre on her arm some time ago.
F

With the size of the prime ministers salary Im sure she can afford it!

 

[Tony337]

She was photographed with libre on her arm some time ago.
F

I was contemplating going to see my constituency MP to ask him to ask the PM whether she pays for her Libre herself or whether she gets it on the NHS?
If this was asked in the house its probable not that many MPs would understand however the watching british media would.
Or would they?
How far would my MP go?
Would he actually ask my question?

Has anyone on this forum gone down a similar avenue.

Your thoughts would be appreciated as I'm not well up on politics.

Suffice to say I have tried to get the Libre on prescription but have been refused and I cannot afford to self fund.

Thank you

Tony

 

[first14808]

As much as I would love to see the Freestyle Libre available to those that would benefit, I'm not holding my breath, TM's use won't change anything.

I guess it might if it's made into an issue. Complete with a business case showing the potential benefits.. Which are much the same for T2's and prescriptions for strips and stabbies. Glucose monitoring enables* us to better manage our condition, and potentially avoid far more expensive (in both NHS cost and personal) complications like retinopathy, neuropathy, heart disease etc. So pitching it that prevention is much better than tying up operating theatres, acute & surgical beds etc if our condition goes unmanaged.

* is part of the pitch, ie using the right kind of language to cut through the levels of bureaucracy that make up the modern NHS. And the pitch could also include things that would make suppliers scream. Like sticking a tender in the OJEU for 100m test strips and sensors to get the costs down. Often, the NHS and ancilliaries don't use their purchasing power as well as they could. Then there's some fringe benefits, so one issue with CGMs are what happens to the data. Often they seem cloud based, with non-privacy assurances that results will only be sold to trusted 3rd parties. But that data would also be of immense value to reserchers, if privacy and confidentiality could be maintained.

But the PM understands diabetes and the advantages of CGMs, and a constituent could get a proposal in front of her fairly easily..

 

[Jo_the_boat]

@Jo_the_milkmaid - Someone clearly can't do their maths. On the NHS tariff, the sensors cost £2.50 per day, or slightly more than 8 testing strips of the Aviva or Acsensia types.

On the "Buy it yourself" tariff, they cost £3.36, so no idea where the fiver a day comes from.

Jo the milkmaid??
I THINK the person responding may have been an Aussie - $5?

 

[tim2000s]

Jo the milkmaid??
I THINK the person responding may have been an Aussie - $5?

Whoops - didn't see that!

 

[bulkbiker]

I was contemplating going to see my constituency MP to ask him to ask the PM whether she pays for her Libre herself or whether she gets it on the NHS?
If this was asked in the house its probable not that many MPs would understand however the watching british media would.
Or would they?
How far would my MP go?
Would he actually ask my question?

Has anyone on this forum gone down a similar avenue.

Your thoughts would be appreciated as I'm not well up on politics.

Suffice to say I have tried to get the Libre on prescription but have been refused and I cannot afford to self fund.

Thank you

Tony

It may even be covered by her husband's private health insurance which with his city job would certainly be something the May family has.

 

[slip]

Lol just read some of the reader comments on that daily mail page, I'll try and express my thoughts using the smiles provided:

:***:

The readership is truly blessed with some unique people, one way or another!

 

[lovinglife]

Taking all the politics out of this, wether you love or loath her/what she does is it really anybody's business how her device is funded, she is basically a human with diabetes trying to manage her life best she can - just like all of us here, lots have a libre on this forum - both T1 &T2 - also both NHS and self funded - I say good on her for getting on top of her condition whilst doing one of the most difficult jobs I can imagine

 

[porl69]

Woohoo. Just had a phone call from my doctor and I am now in possession of an NHS prescription for the Libre. Newport South Wales. Looks like all bar 1 of the health boards in Wales are allowing it on prescription, as long as you have met the criteria

 

[Robinredbreast]

Woohoo. Just had a phone call from my doctor and I am now in possession of an NHS prescription for the Libre. Newport South Wales. Looks like all bar 1 of the health boards in Wales are allowing it on prescription, as long as you have met the criteria

Congratulations, a great result

 

[porl69]

Congratulations, a great result

Thank you

 

[dbr10]

Taking all the politics out of this, wether you love or loath her/what she does is it really anybody's business how her device is funded, she is basically a human with diabetes trying to manage her life best she can - just like all of us here, lots have a libre on this forum - both T1 &T2 - also both NHS and self funded - I say good on her for getting on top of her condition whilst doing one of the most difficult jobs I can imagine

Anyone who needs one should have one provided.

 

[ExtremelyW0rried]

The NHS in its current form is unsustainable.
I'm very very doubtful that it will continue to fund products for anyone in the quite near future.
There are too many people using the service and also people abusing it.

On the other hand I see my consultant twice a year and the dsn at the hospital twice a year too. On top of this my surgery now want me to see the 'diabetic' nurse annually in the surgery. I've been once and it was bloody hopeless. She asked if I took insulin after I'd told her I was t1. Felt like saying ah that's where I've been going wrong. She also said I should have statins just because I was t1 and most t1s have them even though my cholesterol is absolutely fine. And she was morbidly obese. It annoys me when people who don't know what they are taking about try and give advice and aren't even that healthy themselves!
I also have to see my named dr annually at the surgery. Even though it is pointless as I'm on a pump and they just aren't specialist enough.

So four appointments at the hospital, plus eyes, plus now two appointments at the surgery is now 7 annual diabetes appointments. I am well controlled by the way. The appointments at the GP really annoy me.

So that's two pointless appointments that I have to attend. Meanwhile I've been waiting over 18 months for some help with chronic anxiety and depression.

My point is what they aren't exactly a streamlined service but how you sort it out I've no idea. It will go under at some point. It cannot continue as it is.

 

[lovinglife]

Anyone who needs one should have one provided.

Totally agree in an ideal world everyone should be allowed everything they need - but we all know it's not like that - and if everyone was given one would everyone use it properly? Probably not - but on the other hand I agree everyone who has a case for one should be offered one. But as a T2 on gliclizide who had to fight for 50 strips every 2 months and self fund the rest I don't hold out much hope for any of us getting what we need