Libre criteria

[jaywak]

Several people have asked me recently why I am still doing blood tests when it has recently been in the papers that all type 1s can have a cgm , the last time I asked my GP I was told I had no chance as my diabetes was well controlled and there would be no improvement if I had one , That was a few years ago , has the criteria changed recently as I do think I could improve my control as like all type 1 s I do have my ups and downs ?

 

[EllieM]

That was a few years ago , has the criteria changed recently as I do think I could improve my control as like all type 1 s I do have my ups and downs ?

There's a lot of talk in the press about the eligibility changing in April (more/all T1s. some T2s???) but as far as I know it's still an unpublished draft document.

I'm guessing it'll be big news on these forums when it does get published....

My google fu wasn't strong enough to get a copy, maybe others will be more successful.

So I suspect that the criteria are changing soon.

 

[In Response]

The Daily Mail recently reported that the guidelines are changing,
Two things to remember here - they are changing but have not changed yet and they are guidelines.

The article suggested that, as of 1st April, suddenly the NHS will find the magic money tree and start funding Libre for all people who are treated with insulin (one change is that it includes people with type 2 as well as Type 1). I expect this to take some time and be interpreted differently by different CCG.

Also worth noting this is only for England

However, the current guidelines have been interpreted in a more relaxed way in recent years. Now about 50% of people with Type 1 have Libre. They need an approval from a diabetes consultant: not your GP. This is due to the way it is funded. So, it is definitely worth asking ... but not your GP.

Finally, do not expect Libre to mean you will never have to finger prick again. That is not the case ... as have been described in the many many many threads about Libre.

 

[derivadow]

Also, I don't think the NHS's extant Libre criteria are only about your level of control - if you test >8 times a day then you qualify, see: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...our-diabetes/testing/flash-glucose-monitoring.

 

[jaywak]

I test 6 - 8 times a day but could they just say that I don't have to test that often ?

 

[Rokaab]

I test 6 - 8 times a day but could they just say that I don't have to test that often ?

I know when I got my libre on prescription (about 3-4 years ago I think), testing 8+ times a day was one of the criteria that could get you said libre.

Though note as said they are just guidelines so far, what your local CCG actually does may be something else entirely

 

[derivadow]

I test 6 - 8 times a day but could they just say that I don't have to test that often ?

I think that would be deeply unethical and I very much doubt they would. In my experience the team want me to test on a regular basis.

(FWIW I think the >8 tests a day is because that is the point where it is cost neutral)

 

[Jaylee]

Several people have asked me recently why I am still doing blood tests when it has recently been in the papers that all type 1s can have a cgm , the last time I asked my GP I was told I had no chance as my diabetes was well controlled and there would be no improvement if I had one , That was a few years ago , has the criteria changed recently as I do think I could improve my control as like all type 1 s I do have my ups and downs ?

Hi,

If you are interested in using a Libre sensor? See your endo at the diabetes clinic. If you only deal with your GP? Get refferal to see an endo at a specialist clinic.
If all goes well with approval? The endo will instruct your GP to add them to your repeat prescription..
To cut a long story short for me. I was self funding for 2 years then brought up that due to my job working with food produce, the bloodletting of traditional testing was inapropriate in that environment?

Hey presto...

Best wishes & good luck.

 

[Ipodlistener]

Several people have asked me recently why I am still doing blood tests when it has recently been in the papers that all type 1s can have a cgm , the last time I asked my GP I was told I had no chance as my diabetes was well controlled and there would be no improvement if I had one , That was a few years ago , has the criteria changed recently as I do think I could improve my control as like all type 1 s I do have my ups and downs ?

Never ask your doctor's. Ask at your Diabetes center/ Hospital. As they can tell your doctor to provide it. Your doctor will want to keep you as cheap as possible. Hospital/ Diabetes centre cannot be overruled by your doctor. In my honest opinion

 

[Ipodlistener]

I test 6 - 8 times a day but could they just say that I don't have to test that often ?

The more you need to test. It'll be a money saver for your GP to put you on Libre2. I was using 200+ strips a month. Only diagnosed in November. With Libre2 and being a postman. Can easily scan 30+ times a day. It's a game changer good luck

 

[Ushthetaff]

It’s a post code lottery , I live in Scotland and as far as I’m aware all nhs health area authorities have given the go ahead for Libre to be on presciption , I myself had no criteria to follow I was hardly taking any blood sugars let alone 8 a day! My consultant seemed to be quite switch on when he said that people like me needed it more than those who have good control due to taking multi daily bs tests personally I had to agree as my job and the industry I was working in made it impossible to stop clean hands etc etc , having a libre took my Hb1 c from constant 90s + to low 50s so I am proof that my consultants theory was correct for me , we are told constantly how diabetes is a drain on the nhs , I personally think a CGM system can vastly improve bs control , I lost my leg due to poor control , I firmly believe if I the Libre had been available years ago I would still have 2 legs ., I have had diabetes long enough got remember times when disposable syringes were classed as a luxury , so I’m sure and hope in the near future people in charge will see sense , or maybe just maybe diabetes being a drain NHS is the cash cow some people in power might require

 

[Fenn]

Hi, I am awaiting a training day on the 14th, this is ridiculous as I have been self funding the libre for years, I don’t think it’s very difficult to get these days as I don’t think I fall into any of the old categories, my consultant just said he was filling out the forms and now I’ve been told by who knows who that the training is the last step before getting it on prescription, I didn’t even ask for it.

 

[Rokaab]

Hi, I am awaiting a training day on the 14th, this is ridiculous as I have been self funding the libre for years, I don’t think it’s very difficult to get these days as I don’t think I fall into any of the old categories, my consultant just said he was filling out the forms and now I’ve been told by who knows who that the training is the last step before getting it on prescription, I didn’t even ask for it.

That seems odd that they're making you do training for it if you've been using it already
I know for my hospital they had it so that people needed to do training to get them, but for people like me who had previously been funding for a while they just added a note to that bit of the form/checklist about not needing the training.

 

[Fenn]

That seems odd that they're making you do training for it if you've been using it already
I know for my hospital they had it so that people needed to do training to get them, but for people like me who had previously been funding for a while they just added a note to that bit of the form/checklist about not needing the training.

I told the lady over the phone, she said it sounds silly but we have to do it for you to get it *shrug*

 

[Jaylee]

Never ask your doctor's. Ask at your Diabetes center/ Hospital. As they can tell your doctor to provide it. Your doctor will want to keep you as cheap as possible. Hospital/ Diabetes centre cannot be overruled by your doctor. In my honest opinion

Hi there, I would have to dissagree in my case. My GP spotted my self funded sensor at the time & was actually keen I got funding? However, his hands are tied on this one..

@Fenn it was recomended in my CCd coppy of the endo letter instructing my GP to prescribe, that I need no training..
The tone of the letter was pretty much, "be a good fellow & put em on script."

 

[Fenn]

I’m thinking I will just smile and wave

 

[EllieM]

I’m thinking I will just smile and wave

Well, if you learn anything new and exciting please share it on here. (Or if you need to vent after a completely wasted day feel free also. )

 

[Jaylee]

I’m thinking I will just smile and wave

@Fenn , I feel your pain. In my case I had to be up to my elbows on a "free range" egg farm one spring in "bird doo" & chicken carcasses for my endo to sit up & take notice...

 

[Mad76]

My gp said no, no way, no chance

The consultant at hospital got ot put on my prescription as soon as I asked

 

[becca59]

If the hospital require training and other hoops let Partha Kar On Twitter know. You should not have to jump through hoops. From April although it will still not be statuary it is going to get harder to refuse people as there is going to be a big push to get all type 1s who want it on to it. Hopefully it will be statuary before the end of the year.