Just curious if it's a big difference from USA to England, but here your diabetic doctor and nurse want you to start testing daily before every meal as soon as it's discovered that you have any form of diabetes. Personally, I am Type 2 since August 2001, and I have been testing daily all that time. I know a number of other diabetics and their experience with testing is the same. Also, here your doctor's office gives you pamphlets, where you can request a free meter from a number of different companies who provide diabetic meds and equipment. Usually, you are eligible to get a free meter once every year, but I just use the one I've had for several years.